Archive May 2009
IV cannula dwell time
Intravenous news: NewBritainHerald.com report “The state Department of Public Health has fined the Hospital of Central Connecticut $2,500 after inspections found violations that might have led to the death of a patient”. The report continues “The violations include a patient who died after an intravenous catheter designed for two days’ use was left in 11 days”. [...]
IV drip trial ended
Intravenous news: “Officials at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) have halted a multicenter clinical trial of concentrated saline administered to patients who have experienced trauma and go into shock as a consequence of blood loss while they are en route to a hospital. Last August, when the trial’s data and safety monitoring board [...]
Intravenous (IV) nursing
Intravenous literature: Tromp, M., Natsch, S. and Van Achterberg, T. (2009) The preparation and administration of intravenous drugs before and after protocol implementation. Pharmacy World & Science. 31(3), p.413-20. Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This paper reports on a pilot study examining the incidence of nurses’ errors in preparation and administration of intravenous drugs. Furthermore, the study aimed to evaluate [...]
Identifying medication errors
Intravenous literature: Sheu, S.J., Wei, I.L., Chen, C.H., Yu, S. and Tang, F.I. (2009) Using snowball sampling method with nurses to understand medication administration errors. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18(4), p.559-69. Abstract: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to encourage nurses to release information about drug administration errors to increase understanding of error-related circumstances and to [...]
Rituximab infusion-related reactions
Intravenous literature: Graham, A. (2009) Administering rituximab: infusion-related reactions and nursing implications. Cancer Nursing Practice. 8(2), p.30-5. Abstract: Use of intravenous rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, as a treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Common infusion-related reactions and toxicities to the drug are described together with precautions that nurses should take and management of adverse reactions. More IV [...]
Blood cultures in PICU
Intravenous literature: Kiragu, A.W., Zier, J. and Cornfield, D.N. (2009) Utility of blood cultures in postoperative pediatric intensive care unit patients. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 10(3), p.364-8. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of positive blood cultures in patients with fevers in the initial 48-hour postoperative period. STUDY DESIGN: All patients who had blood cultures drawn during [...]
Stuck Seldinger guidewire
Intravenous literature: Araki, Y., Fukuda, I., Hirano, M., Matsuoka, N. and Kazama, T. (2009) [Central venous catheterization complication by a guide wire]. Masui – Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology. 58(3), p.354-6. Abstract: Central venous catheterization using the Seldinger technique is a well known and often used method. On the other hand, there are also well known complications [...]
Blood sampling in infants
Intravenous news: Kapellou, O. (2009) Blood sampling in infants (reducing pain and morbidity). Clinical Evidence. Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Preterm or ill neonates may undergo 1-21 heel punctures or venepunctures per day. These punctures are likely to be painful. Heel punctures comprise 61-87% and venepunctures comprise 8-13% of the invasive procedures performed on ill infants. Analgesics are rarely [...]
Central Venous Catheter tip position
Intravenous literature: Na, H.S., Kim, J.T., Kim, H.S., Bahk, J.H., Kim, C.S. and Kim, S.D. (2009) Practical anatomic landmarks for determining the insertion depth of central venous catheter in paediatric patients. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 102(6), p.820-3. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Various methods have been recommended to decide a proper insertion depth of central venous catheter (CVC). The carina [...]
NICU zero CLABSI
Intravenous literature: Curry, S., Honeycutt, M., Goins, G. and Gilliam, C. (2009) Catheter-associated bloodstream infections in the NICU: getting to zero. Neonatal Network – Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 28(3), p.151-5. Abstract: The neonatal population is at a particularly high risk for catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI). Chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis is well documented to effectively decrease the [...]
Central venous line complications
Intravenous literature: Milbrandt, K., Beaudry, P., Anderson, R., Jones, S., Giacomantonio, M. and Sigalet, D. (2009) A multiinstitutional review of central venous line complications: retained intravascular fragments. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 44(5), p.972-6. Abstract: BACKGROUND: There have been many reports of complications of central venous lines in children but limited discussion of the specific problem of retained intravascular [...]
Complication of implanted port
Intravenous literature: Bass, J., and Halton, J.M. (2009) Skin erosion over totally implanted vascular access devices in children. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery. 18(2), p.84-6. Abstract: Erosion of the skin over a totally implanted vascular access device (TIVAD) is a rare event that may lead to life-threatening sequelae. From 1994 to 2007, we reviewed the medical records [...]
Inadvertent carotid artery puncture
Intravenous literature: Bouzas-Mosquera, A., Mosquera, V.X., Portela, F., Cuenca, J.J., Alvarez-Garcia, N. and Castro-Beiras, A. (2009) Extrinsic compression of the left atrium by a mediastinal hematoma secondary to inadvertent carotid puncture. Echocardiography. 26(5), p.586-8. Abstract: We present the case of a 63-year-old man who underwent surgical closure of a paravalvular mitral leak. Immediately after surgery, [...]
Care bundles to prevent neonatal infection
Intravenous literature: Lachman, P. and Yuen, S. (2009) Using care bundles to prevent infection in neonatal and paediatric ICUs. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 22(3), p.224-8. Abstract: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Quality and safety of care are national priorities. Healthcare-acquired infections are now considered preventable and unacceptable. Care bundles are used to prevent and treat health-care [...]
Complications of central line insertion
Intravenous literature: Askegard-Giesmann, J.R., Caniano, D.A. and Kenney, B.D. (2009) Rare but serious complications of central line insertion. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery. 18(2), p.73-83. Abstract: Discussions on the complications of central venous catheterization in children typically focus on infectious and the more common mechanical complications of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or thrombosis. Rare complications are often more [...]
Vascular access device prevalence
Intravenous literature: Voges, K.A., Webb, D., Fish, L.L. and Kressel, A.B. (2009) One-day point-prevalence survey of central, arterial, and peripheral line use in adult inpatients. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 30(6), p.606-8. Abstract not available. More IV news at IVTEAM
IV administration set replacement
Intravenous literature: Labeau, S., Vandijck, D., Lizy, C., Piette, A., Verschraegen, G., Vogelaers, D. and Blot, S. (2009) Replacement of administration sets used to administer blood, blood products, or lipid emulsions for the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infection. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 30(5), p.494. Abstract not available. More IV news at IVTEAM
Sharp safety poll
Intravenous news: New IVTEAM Poll launched “Should the mandatory use of sharps safety devices be made European law?” Please vote in the IVTEAM poll box shown at the bottom right of every IVTEAM page. More IV news at IVTEAM
SCOTVAN launch IV network
Intravenous news: The Scottish Vascular Access Network was launched on the 18th May 2009. The Scottish Vascular Access Network have come together to establish a collaborative group which will develop credibility by terminating the unknowns, discrepancies and misunderstandings surrounding the use of Vascular Access in Scotland. This will ultimately benefit patients and health-care professionals across the country [...]
Needlestick personal account
Intravenous news: “I felt a sharp sting. Looking down, I saw a small scarlet drop emerging from the tip of my left index finger. I had stabbed my finger against the needle I had just used to anesthetize Jean’s skin, a needle I still held in my right hand. I stared at the tiny red bloom [...]
Scottish Vascular Access Network
Intravenous conference: SCOTVAN – Call for papers - Scottish Vascular Access Network First Annual Conference, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th November 2009. The venue is The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, Clydebank, Glasgow. SCOTVAN are pleased to invite abstracts for Presentation and Poster Exhibition at their Inaugural 2 day Conference.The conference will be the beginning of a National Vascular Access Network establishing a collaborative group [...]
IV pole redesigned
Intravenous products: Core77.com report “Every research project is a journey. This one started in Basingstoke, England, a small city 50 miles southwest of London in a hospital run by the National Health Service. I was there for Modo to think about IV poles—an ordinary piece of healthcare furniture. Modo researches, designs and builds carts and trolleys [...]
Parenteral nutrition complication
Intravenous literature: Jardine, L.A., Inglis, G.D.T. and Davies, M.W. (2009) Aspiration of parenteral nutrition–a previously unreported complication of central venous access in an infant: a case report. Neonatal Intensive Care. 22(2), p.18-19. Abstract: Introduction The insertion of percutaneous central venous catheters is a common procedure in neonatal intensive care nurseries. Placement of the catheter tip in [...]
Management of extravasation
Intravenous literature: Schulmeister, L. (2009) Vesicant chemotherapy – the management of extravasation. Cancer Nursing Practice. 8(3), p.34-37. Example of text shown below: The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal #13 is to encourage patients’ active involvement in their own care as a patient safety strategy (Joint Commission, 2009). The U.S. Department of Health and Human [...]
Extravasation of Epirubicin
Intravenous literature: Vano-Galvan, S. and Jaen, P. (2009) Images in clinical medicine. Extravasation of epirubicin. New England Journal of Medicine. 360(20), p.2117. Example of text shown below: A 63-year-old woman with a diagnosis of infiltrative ductal carcinoma of the breast (stage T2N1M0[IIB], according to the tumor–node–metastasis staging system) that was estrogen receptor–negative and HER2-negative was [...]
Community IV waste management
Intravenous literature: Blenkharn, I. (2009) Waste management requirements of community i.v. therapy services. British Journal of Community Nursing. 14(1), p.38-9. Abstract: Healthcare professionals carry a legal and professional responsibility for the safe disposal of clinical wastes. Sharps safety is paramount, and though this is a well-recognized hazard there remains an unacceptably high incidence of sharps injury [...]
Cost of occupational sharps injuries
Intravenous literature: Glenngård, A.H. and Persson, U. (2009) Costs associated with sharps injuries in the Swedish health care setting and potential cost savings from needle-stick prevention devices with needle and syringe. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. 41(4), p.296-302. Abstract: The number and costs associated with reported sharps injuries in Swedish hospitals and the potential cost [...]
Assessment and care of intravenous lines
Intravenous news: Lawsuits involving problematic intravenous lines are the third most common cause of medical malpractice litigation in the United States, so nurses who maintain IVs must take personal accountability when managing complications, says an internationally known expert in infusion therapies. Because most complications from peripheral IVs are considered preventable and thus indefensible to the courts, [...]
AccuVein locate hard-to-find veins
Intravenous products: AccuVein LLC today announced the launch of AccuVein AV300, the world’s first hand-held, non-contact vein illumination device that helps healthcare professionals locate hard-to-find veins. IV starts and blood draws (venipuncture) can be a source of patient anxiety and discomfort, and accessing veins in difficult patients can take up to 10 minutes and require multiple [...]
Errors in central line placement
Intravenous literature: Kilbourne, M.J., Bochicchio, G.V., Scalea, T. and Xiao, Y. (2009) Avoiding
Needlestick injury claims
Intravenous literature: Symon, A. (2009) Needlestick injuries: the practitioner as the claimant. British Journal of Midwifery. 17(3), p.192. Sample text: “There is a current tension in society regarding health and safety issues. Criticisms of safety notices (‘Warning contents may be hot’, etc) reflect the view that contemporary society has become over-concerned with removing every aspect of [...]
Frequency of needlestick injuries
Intravenous literature: Talas, M.S. (2009) Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among Turkish nursing students during clinical practice training: frequency of needlestick/sharp injuries and hepatitis B immunisation. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18(10), p.1394-403. Abstract: AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the rate of needlestick/sharp injuries in nursing students, to estimate the rate of vaccination administration [...]
Vascular access training phantom
Intravenous products: CIRS is pleased to introduce the Model 072 Vascular Access Training Phantom Kit. The Model 072 was designed to provide a realistic training medium for needle insertion. It is made from a durable elastometric compound mimicking the tactile feel and puncture resistance of soft tissue. This self-healing material has realistic acoustic properties allowing imaging [...]
Prehospital vascular access
Intravenous literature: Ezingeard, E., Coudrot, M., Guyomarc’h, S., Aubert, G., Blanc, J.L., Bertrand, J.C., Tardy, B. and Zeni, F. (2009) Evaluation of colonisation of peripheral venous catheters inserted by prehospital emergency service teams (SMUR) in France. Journal of Hospital Infection. 72(2), p.169-75. Abstract: There are no data in the literature on colonisation of peripheral venous catheters [...]
Distraction techniques for venepuncture
Intravenous literature: Murphy, G. (2009) Distraction techniques for venepuncture: a review. Paediatric Nursing. 21(3), p.18-20. Abstract: Venepuncture is one of the most feared hospital procedures for children and inadequate pain management has the potential to affect future care. Distraction has been shown to help to reduce procedural distress in children. A thematic analysis of relevant [...]
Haemolysis during venepuncture
Intravenous literature: Saleem, S., Mani, V., Chadwick, M.A., Creanor, S. and Ayling, R.M. (2009) A prospective study of causes of haemolysis during venepuncture: tourniquet time should be kept to a minimum. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. 46(Pt 3), p.244-6. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Haemolysis is defined as the release of cellular components of erythrocytes and other blood cells [...]
Costs associated with CRBSI
Intravenous literature: Tacconelli, E., Smith, G., Hieke, K., Lafuma, A. and Bastide, P. (2009) Epidemiology, medical outcomes and costs of catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care units of four European countries: literature- and registry-based estimates. Journal of Hospital Infection. 72(2), p.97-103. Abstract: Despite high incidence rates, little information is available on the burden of illness of catheter-related [...]
CRBSI diagnosis
Intravenous literature: Slobbe, L., El Barzouhi, A., Boersma, E. and Rijnders, B.J. (2009) Comparison of the roll plate method to the sonication method to diagnose catheter colonization and bacteremia in patients with long-term tunnelled catheters: a randomized prospective study. Journal of Clinical Microbiology.47(4), p.885-8. Abstract: Diagnosing catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) still often involves tip culture. The [...]
PICC insertion criteria
Intravenous literature: Migita, D.S., Postetter, L., Heath, S., Hagan, P. and Del Beccaro, M. (2009) Governing peripherally inserted central venous catheters by combining continuous performance improvement and computerized physician order entry. Pediatrics. 123(4), p.1155-61. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Seattle Children’s in Seattle, Washington sought to establish governance over peripherally inserted central catheters. Preventing overuse and creating an efficient [...]
IV extravasation infection
Intravenous news: ConcordMonitor.com report “The family of a Vermont woman who died following complications from her treatment at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center was awarded nearly $1 million by a federal jury this week in medical malpractice and wrongful death awards. The jury awarded $598,000 to the estate of Katherine Coffey and $385,000 to her surviving husband. According to [...]
Incidence of thrombophlebitis
Intravenous literature: Cicolini, G., Bonghi, A.P., Di Labio, L. and Di Mascio, R. (2009) Position of peripheral venous cannulae and the incidence of thrombophlebitis: an observational study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 65(6), p.1268-73. Abstract: Aim. This paper is a report of a study conducted to investigate the most suitable location of peripheral venous cannulae to reduce [...]
Hypodermoclysis site problem
Intravenous literature: O’Hanlon S,Sheahan P,McEneaney R (2009) Severe hemorrhage from a hypodermoclysis site. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine. 26(2), p.135-6. Abstract: Hypodermoclysis, or subcutaneous infusion of fluids, is an alternative means of administration of fluid. It is sometimes used in older patients in whom there is difficulty achieving intravenous access, or who are entering the [...]
CLABSI and needleless device use
Intravenous literature: Toscano, C.M., Bell, M., Zukerman, C., Shelton, W., Novicki, T.J., Nichols, W.G., Corey, L. and Jarvis, W.R. (2009) Gram-negative bloodstream infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: the roles of needleless device use, bathing practices, and catheter care. American Journal of Infection Control. 37(4), p.327-34. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Between August 1 and October 30, 1998 (outbreak [...]
Cook’s new Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC
With the launch of Cook Medical’s new Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC, for the first time, the clinical benefits of antibiotic-impregnated catheters—a critical component in eliminating 250,000 potentially fatal catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in the U.S. annually—are now available for peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) that can also be used for contrast-enhanced CT scans. The Spectrum [...]
Handwashing behaviour
Intravenous literature: Hanna, D., Davies, M. and Dempster, M. (2009) Psychological processes underlying nurses’ handwashing behaviour. Journal of Infection Prevention. 10(3), p.90-95. Abstract: Background: Psychological models of behaviour A change have been found to be useful in predicting health-related behaviour in patients but have rarely been used in relation to the health behaviour of staff. This study [...]
Possible heparin deaths
Intravenous news: The Chicago Tribune reports ‘Baxter International Inc. said medical care providers at a hospital in Delaware and U.S. health officials are investigating whether the deaths of two patients are linked to a brand of heparin blood thinner Baxter sells in intravenous bags. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the situation “appears to be [...]
Infusion Nursing text from INS
Intravenous literature: The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) has announced that the 3rd edition of its authoritative textbook, Infusion Nursing: An Evidence-Based Approach, is now available to order… click here to order! This comprehensive resource brings you practical coverage of every aspect of infusion therapy. Completely updated content helps you stay informed of the latest advances in [...]
Timestrip IV hospital order
Intravenous products: TradingMarkets.com report ‘Timestrip PLC, a UK-based smart label company, declared on 5 May that the company has secured an order with Luton & Dunstable Hospital, which has become the second hospital to place an order for the newly launched TimestripIV product, designed to help hospitals comply with existing policy directives that stipulate the need to [...]
Home intravenous (IV) therapy
Intravenous conference: Alison Smith, IV lead at Liverpool PCT (UK), will present at the IPS IV conference in September. The Aim of the presentation is to discuss the diversity of a community intravenous therapy service. The Liverpool PCT home IV service provides gold standard Intravenous Therapies to patients in the community whether it is in their [...]
Free injectable medicines course
Intravenous training: NHS Education South Central have developed an eLearning programme that examines the issue ‘compatibility of injectable medicines’. The programme was developed by Dr Simon Wills, Head of Wessex Drug & Medicines Information Centre at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and Alison Wright, E-learning Programme Manager at NHS Education South Central. To register for [...]
eLearning for IV cannulation training
Intravenous training: New eLearning peripheral IV cannulation training programme from Vygon. Healthcare practitioners need to be updated constantly with high quality education and training, and evidence-based practice relevant to their role. The programme: Can be run on a stand-alone computer. Can be accessed over a local network or the internet for hospital Trusts and Boards that have a SCORM [...]
Canadian CLABSI rates published
By April 2009, Ontario hospitals will be reporting on eight patient-safety indicators that can provide valuable data on which to base effective benchmarks, best practices and foster patient safety improvements across the province’s health care system : Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease (CDAD) Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio (HSMR) [...]
IV catheter insertion attempts
Intravenous news: WVrecord.com report that “A Fayette County woman says a nurse’s fumbling with an intravenous needle caused her daughter’s death. The complaint says that Amber, who was 6 years old, was brought to CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital for suspected meningitis on Sept. 21, 2007. Physicians advised Amber’s parents that the girl should not become excited [...]
Extravasation pictures and treatment
Intravenous literature: IVTEAM do not regularly publish ‘old’ articles. However, this article has a number of very interesting extravsation pictures and treatment options. Click here to view the full pdf of article. Sarovath, A. and Kruavit, A. (2006) Extravasation Injury: What is the Appropriate Management of Extravasated Skin Ulcer? The THAI Journal of SURGERY. 27(1), p.19-25. Abstract: [...]
Hand hygiene online game
Intravenous news: The National Patient Safety Agency have launched ‘Wi-Five’ an online game to raise awareness of the five moments of hand hygiene. Click here to view the game. More IV news at IVTEAM
