Archive February 2009
IV pumps in home care
Intravenous news: In a report published today, the Netherlands Health Care Inspectorate writes there is inadequate collaboration between professionals involved in the use of IV pumps in home care. The inspectorate argues that the lack of collaboration between doctors, nurses, home care organisations and suppliers of medical equipment can lead to dangerous situations in which patients [...]
Syringe recycling scandal
Intravenous news: Modasa’s deadly Hepatitis-B trail has led investigators to a major medical waste recycling racket in Ahmedabad’s own backyard. A whopping 50 tonnes of biological waste, including syringes and needles, which has been impounded, could expose the city and the whole state to the threat of not just Hepatitis-B, but other deadly infections, spread [...]
CLABSI prevention
Intravenous news: A widely heralded Johns Hopkins safety initiative to reduce bloodstream infections in intensive care units (ICUs)
PICC comparison
Intravenous Literature: Di Giacomo, M. (2009) Comparison of three peripherally-inserted central catheters: pilot study. British Journal of Nursing. 18(1), p.8-16. Abstract: Peripherally-inserted central catheters (PICCS) are non-tunnelled, central catheters inserted through a peripheral vein of the arm. They are 50–60?cm long and are usually made of either silicone or second-third generation polyurethane. PICCs can be used [...]
Aseptic technique variations
Intravenous literature: Aziz, A-M. (2009) Variations in aseptic technique and implications for infection control. British Journal of Nursing. 18(1), p.26-31. Abstract: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are a serious concern, costing the NHS £1 billion a year and causing 5000 deaths annually despite increased funding. A contributing factor is the variety of aseptic techniques in use in different hospitals [...]
IV particles lead to drug recall
Intravenous news: Health Canada, the federal agency that regulates the country’s healthcare delivery, is recalling lots of a drug used to treat iron and aluminum toxicity in dialysis patients due to the possibility of tiny particles forming after the drug is prepared for intravenous administration. Health Canada said it is working with manufacturer Hospira Healthcare Corp. [...]
Gemstar infusion system
Intravenous products: Hospira, Inc., a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, today announced the introduction of the with GemStar(TM) Infusion Suite software, an advanced version of the market-leading, multi-application, GemStar pump. The GemStar SP infusion system is designed to help caregivers better incorporate patient safety best practices right at the patient’s bedside. GemStar SP incorporates [...]
Triple lumen PICC
Intravenous products: Teleflex Medical, a division of Teleflex Incorporated, has introduced the Arrow® Pressure Injectable Triple Lumen PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter), the latest in the company’s portfolio of venous access solutions designed for clinician and patient safety, as well as patient comfort. With a non-tapered body, contoured tip and strong polyurethane construction that softens in situ, [...]
Contaminated syringe prosecutions
Intravenous news: A North Carolina company is accused of bypassing sterilization tests for medical syringes in a cost-cutting move prosecutors say sickened hundreds of patients and led to five deaths. U.S. Attorney George Holding said Tuesday that federal authorities have launched an international search for the executive charged with rushing shipments of bacteria contaminated syringes from an [...]
Needlestick injury in Delhi
Intravenous literature: L.P. Simon (2009) Prevention and management of needlestick injury in Delhi. British Journal of Nursing. 18(4), p.252 – 256. Abstract: Needlestick and sharps injuries are the most common cause by which blood borne pathogens are transmitted between patients and health-care workers. A study was conducted to assess the knowledge and existing practices of staff nurses [...]
Intraosseous access sites
Intravenous literature: Ong, M.E., Chan, Y.H., Oh, J.J. and Ngo, A.S. (2009) An observational, prospective study comparing tibial and humeral intraosseous access using the EZ-IO. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 27(1), p8-15. Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Intraosseous (IO) access is an alternative to conventional intravenous access. The proximal tibia and proximal humerus have been proposed as suitable sites [...]
CVC monitoring
Intravenous literature: Smuszkiewicz, P., Trojanowska, I. and Tomczak, H. (2009) Venous catheter microbiological monitoring. Necessity or a habit?. Medical Science Monitor. 15(2), p.SC5-8. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Usefulness and economic aspects of microbiological analysis of central venous catheter (CVC) tips in diagnosis of the catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). MATERIAL/METHODS: Retrospective study of an adult intensive care unit in [...]
Time to positivity
Intravenous literature: Passerini, R,, Riggio, D., Radice, D., Bava, L., Cassatella, C., Salvatici, M., Zorzino, L. and Sandri, M.T. (2009) Interference of antibiotic therapy on blood cultures time-to-positivity: analysis of a 5-year experience in an oncological hospital. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 28(1), p.95-8. Abstract: This study performed a retrospective analysis on the [...]
Tourniquet impact on blood results
Intravenous literature: Connes, P., Uyuklu, M., Tripette, J., Boucher, J.H., Beltan, E., Chalabi, T., Yalcin, O., Chout, R., Hue, O., Hardy-Dessources, M.D. and Baskurt, O.K. (2009) Sampling time after tourniquet removal affects erythrocyte deformability and aggregation measurements. Clinical Hemorheology & Microcirculation. 41(1), p.9-15. Abstract: Venipuncture procedures are widely thought to influence biochemical, hematological or hemorheological [...]
Ultrasound-enabled topical anesthesia
Intravenous literature: Stowell, C.P., Trieu, M.Q., Chuang, H., Katz, N. and Quarrington, C. (2009) Ultrasound-enabled topical anesthesia for pain reduction of phlebotomy for whole blood donation. Transfusion. 49(1), p.146-53. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-facilitated delivery of topical anesthetics has been used to achieve effective anesthesia within 5 minutes for venipuncture and the insertion of intravenous access devices, but has [...]
Venous access choices
Intravenous literature: Gorski, L.A. (2009) The peripheral intravenous catheter: an appropriate yet often overlooked choice for venous access. Home Healthcare Nurse. 27(2), p.130-2. “Over my 23 years of practicing home healthcare and home infusion therapy, I have witnessed the evolution and growth in vascular access devices. Improved catheter materials and placement techniques have made it easier and [...]
Intravenous maintenance fluids
Intravenous literature: Yung, M. and Keeley, S. (2009) Randomised controlled trial of intravenous maintenance fluids. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health. 45(1-2), p.9-14. Abstract: AIM: Traditional paediatric intravenous maintenance fluids are prescribed using hypotonic fluids and the weight-based 4:2:1 formula for administration rate. However, this may cause hyponatraemia in sick and post-operative children. We studied the [...]
Intravenous rehydration
Intravenous literature: Reid, S.R. and Losek, J.D. (2009) Rehydration: role for early use of intravenous dextrose. Pediatric Emergency Care. 25(1), p.49-52. Abstract: Acute gastroenteritis is a common reason for children to seek health care. Among the potential complications of acute gastroenteritis, the most common is dehydration. For mild to moderate dehydration, treatment options include oral and [...]
Infection prevention in IV therapy
Intravenous conference: Registration for the free ‘Successful Implementation of Infection Prevention Guidelines in IV Therapy’ one day conference (EPIC2) is now available online. Click here to register The three national multidisciplinary study days, will take place at: Monday 20th April – Cardiff – Mercure Holland House Hotel Tuesday 21st April – Brighton – Hilton Brighton Metropole Wednesday 22nd [...]
Contaminated blood
Intravenous news: A public inquiry has condemned the failings that led to thousands of people being infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood. The independent privately-funded inquiry called the use of contaminated blood products to treat patients with haemophilia a “horrific human tragedy”. The report suggested UK authorities had been slow to react, but accepted it [...]
Nerve damage following IV
Intravenous news: The Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) has been sued by a 62-year-old seamstress, who suffered injury to her hand after an intravenous needle was badly inserted while at the Sangre Grande Hospital three years ago. Annette Hamilton Gladstone, of Red Hill, D’abadie, is a diabetic, and visited the hospital on May 6, 2006, for treatment [...]
Coding central venous access procedures
Intravenous literature: Simply put, venous catheterization is a way to access veins. A central venous access catheter or device is used to deliver medications, intravenous fluids or obtain blood samples. Central venous access catheters and central venous access devices (VADs) are two different methods of venous catheterization. The appropriate procedural coding of central venous catheters and central [...]
Rev Vac safety syringe FDA approval
Intravenous products: Revolutions Medical Corporation (OTCBB: RMCP) has received notification from the FDA that the 510K application for the Rev Vac safety syringe is approved. This represents a major step forward for the company towards realizing its goal in becoming a major player in the safety syringe market. The Rev Vac safety syringe uses patented technology [...]
Project to reduce CRBSI
Intravenous news: Hospital associations in 10 states have been selected to participate in a program to test methods of reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections in hospital intensive care units (ICUs), according to HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The states are California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. In [...]
Funding for HAI reduction
Intravenous news: The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) says it applauds Congress and President Obama for acting on the comments of more than 2,000 of its members who urged their representatives to include funding to help eradicate healthcare-association infections (HAIs) in the stimulus package. APIC members appealed to their Congressional representatives, urging [...]
Home infusion conference 2009
Intravenous conference: March 1 – 5, 2009 – Balitmore. The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) has assembled an extensive, on-target educational program that includes: Join your peers at all three NHIA General Sessions to receive critical information about the state of our industry, to hear about progress being made around our legislation and to grasp how emerging [...]
Blood imports may increase
Intravenous news: UK safety advisers are considering increasing imports of blood to reduce the risk of further infections of variant CJD, the human form of BSE, through blood transfusions. The move comes as the Health Protection Agency yesterday confirmed the first case of an NHS patient contracting the human form of BSE after being treated with [...]
Incidence of central line infection
Intravenous literature: Infection Control Today report on a study that indicates that some MRSA infections in ICU patients have been decreasing in recent years. The website states… “To provide information on the recent trend in the incidence of MRSA central line-associated BSIs in U.S. intensive care units, Deron C. Burton, MD, JD, MPH, of the Centers [...]
WHO hand hygiene initiative
Intravenous news: As part of the Save Lives: Clean your hands campaign the World Health Organization (WHO) is hosting a global hand hygiene initiative on 5th May 2009. Hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the world are invited to take part in a global initiative, raising hand hygiene awareness and reducing healthcare acquired infection (HAI). Already over [...]
Reuse of sharps containers
Intravenous products: A recent survey on use and reuse of sharps containers by Novation, Irving, Texas, asked members of its two owner groups, VHA and University Health System Consortium (UHC), their views on the topic. The survey, released in late October 2008, showed 60 percent of materials managers, nurses, risk managers and other hospital officials consider [...]
Enteralok prevents IV errors
Intravenous products: A new range of enteral syringes has been launched by Sheffield based InterVene® Ltd. In recent years, numerous deaths have occurred by administering enteral medication via intravenous (IV) lines. The enteral syringe which was designed in UK, has been produced in response to National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) guidelines aimed at preventing maladministration of enteral [...]
CareFusion® formed by Cardinal
Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of healthcare, has selected a name for the medical technology company that will be formed through the proposed spin-off of its clinical and medical products businesses. The new company will be named CareFusion®, reflecting a diverse blend of medical technologies the [...]
Treatment of biofilms
Intravenous news: Peter Moeller of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina, who is working with researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina and North Carolina State University, said the team noticed a sponge thriving in what was an otherwise dead coral reef. The team found that these bits [...]
VeinViewer in Australia
Intravenous products: One Sydney hospital is among the first in Australia to trial a revolutionary machine that lets clinicians see the veins mapped out on the surface of the skin, reducing the number of failed attempts at cannulation. The VeinViewer, which will be tested in the hematology unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, displays infra-red images [...]
Infection prevention seminar
Intravenous conference: The Northern and Southern New Jersey chapters of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) will host a “Principles of Infection Prevention and Control” seminar March 30 through April 3 at the Clarion Hotel in Princeton, N.J. The cost for the five-day event is $425, which includes materials, continental breakfast, lunch [...]
Barcode medical equipment
Intravenous news: More than a third of nurses waste up to two hours a shift searching for missing medical equipment, a survey suggests. This equates to 40 hours a month and £900m of NHS wages a year spent hunting for missing pumps, drip stands, thermometers and drugs cupboard keys. Of the 989 nurses surveyed, nearly all had spent up [...]
Safety syringe deal
Intravenous products: Inviro Medical Devices, an industry leader in infection control products, has recently been awarded a three-year contract with Novation, one of the nation’s largest and most respected GPOs, or group provider organizations. As Novation members represent 20% of the nation’s community hospitals and clinics, Inviro now has a greater opportunity to market its manually [...]
Follow IVTEAM on Twitter
Intravenous news: Here at IVTEAM we are always looking for new ways of using technology to communicate effectively with our readers. IVTEAM has established itself as the premier IV news site. Now things have just got better If you have an iPhone you can now follow IVTEAM on Twitter. Click here to follow IVTEAM on Twitter. More IV [...]
Dialysis machine inventor dies
Intravenous news: Willem Kolff, who died on February 11 aged 97, was one of the great creative geniuses of 20th century medicine, responsible for the invention of the kidney dialysis machine and instrumental in the development of the artificial heart and the artificial eye; more remarkable still, his greatest achievements took place in the Netherlands at [...]
Transfusion and Jehovah’s Witness
Intravenous literature: Effa-Heap, G. (2009) Blood transfusion: implications of treating a Jehovah’s Witness patient. British Journal of Nursing. 18(3), p.174-177. Abstract: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that an individual’s life is contained within blood, and that accepting transfusion of blood and blood products is sinful. The administration of blood to a Jehovah’s Witness who has refused to accept transfusion [...]
Osteomyelitis: intravenous or oral
Intravenous literature: When treating hospitalized children with acute osteomyelitis — a bacterial bone infection — an early changeover from intravenous (IV) antibiotic delivery to oral antibiotics is just as effective as continuing the IV therapy, according to pediatric researchers. In addition, the oral drugs are more convenient for children and families, and avoid a major drawback of [...]
Cathflo buyout
Intravenous products: Roche has announced that it is commencing a cash tender offer for all outstanding publicly-held shares of Genentech for US$86.50 per share. Genentech are the manufacturers of Cathflo® Activase® (Alteplase) which is indicated for the restoration of function to central venous access devices (CVADs) as assessed by the ability to withdraw blood. Click here for [...]
Central venous catheter video
Intravenous literature: Andrew F. Shorr, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, George Washington University presents a video review of central venous catheters treated with anti-infective agents in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections. Click here to view the video. More IV news at IVTEAM
Sonix ultrasound obtains CE Mark
Intravenous products: Ultrasonix Medical Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of high quality diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems announced today that it has received the CE Mark for the SonixTOUCH ultrasound imaging system. SonixTOUCH is a, compact, portable diagnostic ultrasound system developed around Ultrasonix’s next generation OpenSONIX platform. The SonixTOUCH is capable of generating premium-level image quality [...]
Needlestick rates stuck
Intravenous news: Hospitals are stuck in a holding pattern in their sharps safety programs. Injury rate dropped implementation of safer sharps in 2001, but many facilities have since reached a plateau. In about half the cases, the safety mechanisms were not activated, according to sharps injury databases, which indicates that either health care workers haven’t been instructed [...]
IV medication error payout
Intravenous news: A jury has awarded $5 million in a Pennsylvania malpractice lawsuit filed over a hospital medication error where a woman developed permanent brain damage after being given eight times the amount of sodium that her doctor prescribed to treat an electrolyte deficiency. The lawsuit was filed by Mary Ellen Pfeifer against University of Pittsburgh Medical [...]
Sharps safety audit
Intravenous literature: Aziz, A.M., Ashton, H., Pagett, A., Mathieson, K., Jones, S. and Mullin, B. (2009) Sharps management in hospital: an audit of equipment, practice and awareness. British Journal of Nursing. 18(2), p.92-98. Abstract: The safe handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments forms part of an overall strategy to protect staff, patients and visitors [...]
Free intravenous conference
Intravenous conference: Due to popular demand the highly successful EPIC2 tour is returning for a third set of dates. Topics covered in the day include CRBSI, EPIC2, ANTT and building a business case. Click here to register The following information has been released by the IPS and EPIC2 teams: 20th April 2009 – Cardiff 21st April [...]
IV glucose investigation
Intravenous news: A premature baby whose death is the subject of a police inquiry spent most of her short life at a Norfolk hospital. Poppy
Safe Point device award
Intravenous products: A needle safety product emerged victorious at the third annual Banbury Innovation Award. Steve Cooley, a 43-year-old dentist from Adderbury, took home the prize after impressing the Dragons’ Den-style judging panel with his Safe Point needle remover. The device, which Mr Cooley envisages becoming, at the least, a part of every dentist’s surgery in the [...]
Community IV therapy service
Intravenous news: A nurse-led community IV therapy service at a trust in Cheshire has saved the NHS over one million in just three years. The service, run by nurses at Warrington PCT, provides an alternative to hospital admission by enabling nurses to administer IV therapy to patients within their own homes. Nurses involved in the service have [...]
Biofilm detachment and CRBSI
Intravenous literature: Sellam, A., Al-Niemi, T., McInnerney, K., Brumfield, S., Nantel, A. and Suci, P.A. (2009) A Candida albicans early stage biofilm detachment event in rich medium. BMC Microbiology. 9(25), doi:10.1186/1471-2180-9-25 Dispersal from Candida albicans biofilms that colonize catheters is implicated as a primary factor in the link between contaminated catheters and life threatening blood stream infections (BSI). [...]
Safe tube-feeding in hospitals
Intravenous news: As part of their commitment to safety, Nestle HealthCare Nutrition and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, or A.S.P.E.N., today announced the launch of a new initiative to promote safe tube-feeding in hospitals. The “Be A.L.E.R.T.” campaign is designed to raise awareness of key steps that should be taken in order to administer [...]
