AVA 2010 abstract submission

Intravenous conference: The Association for Vascular Access has made a call for abstract of submissions. Read more

INS conference advanced registration

Intravenous conference: The INS report “The 2010 Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition will connect you to the Read more

Central line care webinar

Intravenous conference: TargetBSI.com in collaboration with the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) are presenting a Read more

IPS IV conference 2010

Intravenous conference: Following the success of the IPS IV conference last September IVTEAM are proud to Read more

1st World Congress on Vascular Access

Intravenous conference: The foundation WoCoVA (World Congress on Vascular Access) will be pleased to welcome all health care Read more

Call for INS IV posters

Intravenous conference: The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) would like to invite you to submit an abstract and/or educational Read more

AVA 2010 IV conference

Intravenous conference: Date for your diary. The 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Association for Vascular Access has been set for Read more

SCOTVAN IV conference 2010

Intravenous conference: A new date for the SCOTVAN IV conference has been confirmed as 4th & 5th May 2010. Registrations are now being Read more

CLABSI prevention strategies

Intravenous conference: TargetBSI.com are announcing a new Webinar event! Visit www.TargetBSI.com today Read more

Free OPAT 2009 conference

Intravenous conference: Established under the auspices and of the BSAC, and in academic partnership with the British Read more

ANTT conference 09 programme

Intravenous conference: Stephen Rowley, ANTT UK Director has informed IVTEAM of the 2009 ANTT conference programme. Read more

SCOTVAN IV conference

Intravenous conference: The Scottish Vascular Access Network (SCOTVAN) have announced that Andrew Jackson, Rotherham, Read more

IV conference at Harrogate

Intravenous conference: It is now less than three weeks to the IPS IV Forum conference at Harrogate. If you are a professional with Read more

IV pump conference

Intravenous conference: The MHRA have announced the ‘Pumps in Practice’ one day conference in London, UK. This event will feature presentations from clinicians using infusion pumps every day, advisory bodies and the medical device regulator, the MHRA. There will also be breakout sessions giving delegates the opportunity to consider some issues in greater depth and to interact with a range of different pumps.

Topics covered include:

• Managing medical infusion devices
• Patient perspective
• Problems with IV connectors
• Common problems with pumps
• Safer medication delivery
• Ensuring safe intravenous infusions

Fees:

• Early bird fee – register on or before 5 August – £145.00
• Standard fee – register on or after 6 August – £165.00

The venue for this event is:

Holiday Inn Kings Cross Bloomsbury, 1 Kings Cross Road, London. WC1X 9HX

Click here to view the agenda.

Online registration.

IV conference application

Intravenous conference: The IV conference application is now available online (click here) for the IPS IV Forum Conference. A one- day conference for professions with responsibility for vascular access and IV therapy as well as anyone with an interest in this area of therapy which is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the hospital and community.

• Venue: Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, UK.
• Date: 22nd September 2009

Click here for the conference flyer.

Online registration at www.ips.uk.net and follow the link to infection prevention 09.

HAI virtual symposia

Intravenous conference: INS is offering a complimentary Virtual Symposia for continuing education credit. The second of two units is “Healthcare-associated Infections: Using Evidence-based Research to Prevent Infections in All Healthcare Settings”, sponsored by a continuing nursing education grant from Cook Medical, was presented by Michelle (Mickey) Hawes, MSN, RN, CRNI®, at the 2009 INS Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition.

Click here to view the featured session.

Immunoglobulin virtual symposia

Intravenous conference: INS is offering a complimentary Virtual Symposia for continuing education credit. The first of two units is “Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy in Adults and Children: A Guide to Treatment Management and Case Studies” this session was originally co-presented by Kristin Epland, MSN, FNP-C, and M. Elizabeth Younger, PhD, CRNP, at the 2009 INS Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition, and sponsored by a continuing nursing education grant from CSL Behring.

Click here to view the featured session.

New Zealand IV conference 2010

Intravenous conference: IVNNZ Inc. invites you to Christchurch NZ to join them as they celebrate this 12th national conference. The keynote speech will be delivered by Mary Alexander INS (USA).

Details:

• 17th March 2010 – Registration & Welcome
• 18th -19th March 2010 – Conference
• Venue: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Christchurch

Further details from the conference organiser: Elizabeth Culverwell conference@ivnnz.co.nz

Click here for the conference website.

INS IV conference 2010

Intravenous conference: INS have announced the date for the 2010 Annual INS Meeting! More information, including details on the educational sessions and registration, will be available early Fall.

Details:

May 15-20, 2010
Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Click here for the INS IV conference web page.

Oxford IV conference 2009

Intravenous conference: The dates for the 8th International IV therapy conference has be announced. The theme for this conference is ‘patient Safety-minimising risk in IV Therapy’.

• Dates:  1st & 2nd October 2009
• Venue: The Oxford Centre, Oxford. OX2 7PL.

Click here for registration details.

ANTT conference 2009

Intravenous conference: Stephen Rowley has announced the second national conference for ANTT. “Building upon the success of last years two national conferences, this years conference will provide new Master Classes in ANTT theory, practice and implementation”.

Stephen continues “This will be complemented by expert speakers of national repute, providing updates in important practice issues relating to safe aseptic practice in healthcare organisations”.

Conference details:

Friday 27th November 2009
The Wellcome Collection Conference Centre,
183 Euston Rd. NW1 2BE
London

Click here for more information.

IV site and hub disinfection

Intravenous conference: APIC expects to offer more than 25 webinars this year, providing members with free access to the most current, practice-based information.

On July 23 2009, Marcia Ryder, PhD, MS, RN Ryder Science presents ‘Access Site and Hub Disinfection: The Missing Link in the CRBSI Prevention Bundle’

Abstract:

The disinfection of injection ports first appeared in the CDC Guidelines for Prevention of Intravascular Catheter Infection in 1982, however compliance to the recommendation has been since been poor. Colonization of the internal lumen of catheter hubs is the most significant risk factor for CRBSI within one week of insertion. The goal of this presentation is to review existing science and procedure recommendations for access site and catheter hub/stopcock disinfection.

Click here for more information.

Reduction of CLABSI guidelines

Intravenous conference: APIC expects to offer more than 25 webinars this year, providing members with free access to the most current, practice-based information.

On August 27 2009, Mary Ellen Scales, RN, MSN, CIC Baystate Medical Center presents ‘Reduction of Central Line Associated Bacteremia (CLABSI) using the Current Guidelines’

Abstract:

This program is intended for the bedside care provider and those interested in best practices for the prevention of Central line associated bacteremia ( CLABSI). Prevention measures described will include evidence-based activities that decrease or eliminate the risk of infection.  Current literature sources further endorse and support recommendations made by the CDC in 2002 and will be described in this presentation. The Infusion Nurse’s Society (INS) standards will be described as they relate to prevention activities and best practices in the care of the patient with invasive vascular devices. The APIC program,  Eliminating catheter related complications, A Guide for More Effective  Infection Prevention and Control,  will be also be highlighted as a prevention tool for bedside healthcare providers.  Limited discussion will include engagement and empowerment of bedside care staff, utilizing teamwork to prevent and control  infections associated with these invasive devices.

Click here for more information.

Strategies to prevent CRBSI

Intravenous conference: APIC expects to offer more than 25 webinars this year, providing members with free access to the most current, practice-based information.

On September 24 2009, Sophie Harnage RN, BSN Clinical Manager Infusion Services, Sutter Roseville Medical Center presents ‘Strategies to Prevent Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection’

Webinar Description:

Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) is a major cause of patient morbidity, mortality, and cost. Lower CRBSI rates would decrease inpatient length of stay, and improve patient safety and satisfaction. The importance of reducing CRBSI cannot be overstated. An innovative central line bundle was developed at Sutter Roseville Medical Center to reduce CRBSI. Bundle selection was based on available research, CDC and IHI recommendations, new product technology, the amount of change required by the bedside nurse, and product ease of use. An innovative combination of focused nursing practice and product technologies were selected for the bundle and implemented through a defined educational program. To achieve success with limited personnel resources, a combination of behavioral practices and product technologies associated with lowering CRBSI that supported existing nursing practice were selected. When prevention practice activities and innovative products are combined the synergist effect is greater than when the same strategies and or products are used independently. Having a specialized team at Sutter Roseville Medical Center  has resulted in a Zero CRBSI rate in over 7000 PICC lines inserted and maintained by this team, for the past 40 months. While some of the bundle components have not been widely researched, the early outcome of this bundle provides a basis for additional study and refinement.

Click here for more information.

International conference on HAIs

The fifth decennial International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections will be held March 18-22, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The meeting, co-organized by SHEA, the CDC, APIC and IDSA, will set the agenda for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention for the next decade. The meeting will address topics such as:

• New international and domestic perspectives
• Updates on the scientific evidence in such areas as antimicrobial resistance, surveillance strategies, emerging infections, environmental transmission, new technologies
• Translation of research and epidemiologic, organizational, and implementation principles into quality improvement practices

Click here for the conference website.

Vascular access devices & Biofilm

Intravenous conference: TargetBSI.com are presenting a webinar on why are Vascular Devices Prone to Biofilm Contamination? The session will enable clinicians to understand biofilm contamination in vascular devices. In addition, speakers will discuss the obstacles to preventing, managing and eradicating biofilms in vascular access devices. Clinical strategies will be identified to reduce the impact of biofilm.

The webinars will take place on:

• Tuesday, July 28th at 1pm Eastern
• Thursday, July 30th at 2pm Eastern

The expert speakers who will discuss this topic are:

• Garth James, PhD, BS. Medical Projects Manager, Center for Biofilm Engineering.
• Marcia Ryder PhD, MS, RN. Ryder Science, Medical Biofilm Research.

Click here to register for the Webinar.

Paediatric IV therapy conference

Intravenous conference: Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust are hosting a conference focussed upon paediatric IV therapy and patient safety.

Speakers include:

• Dr Sasse, Hanover Medical School. Dept, Pediatric Cardiology and intensive care Medicine, Hanover, Germany.
• Professor Patrick Ball, Foundation Professor of Rural Pharmacy, Charles Stuart University, Australia and international member of the BPNG.
• Professor Bernie Carter, Professor of Children’s Nursing, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
• Dr Andrew Riordan, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases And Immunology.
• Dr Steven Ryan, Consultant Paediatrician and Medical Director, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
• Mrs Sara Melville, Paediatric IV nurse Specialist.

Showcase hospital conference

Intravenous conference: Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust in collaboration with the HCAI Technology Innovation Programme are hosting a free Showcase Hospital One Day Conference. The conference will be held at the Novotel, Southampton, Wednesday 15th July 2009

The aim of the programme is to promote the introduction of new technologies with proven effectiveness that have the potential to make a real difference in the battle against HCAI’s. In addition to a range of other speakers, Sarah Jeremiah, Specialist Practitioner Infection Prevention at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust will be talking about reducing infection related to intravenous devices.

Click here for the full programme.

Click here to register for the conference.

Free peripheral IV conference

Intravenous conference: NHS Education South Central (NESC) are offering a free Peripheral Cannulation Conference. The conference will take place on the 9th July 2009 at Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, RG14 7NZ.

Delegates will also receive free copies of the Venepuncture & Cannulation Structured Learning Programme (Vascular Access Network) & South Central SHA Guidelines for Peripheral Cannulation.

This is a free course so book your place early to avoid disappointment. To book your place, please email your details as soon as possible to cannulation.conference@nesc.nhs.uk

Topics and speakers include:

• Safer Peripheral Cannulation & Decreased Infections, Evonne Harding, Department of Health
• Reducing the Effects of Prehospital Cannulation, Mohammed Iqbal, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
• Closing the Theory/Practice Gap in Peripheral Cannulation in South Central SHA, Participants from the Peripheral Line Training Project
• Venepuncture & Cannulation Structured Learning Programme, Sarah Phillips, Vascular Access Network
• Paediatric Cannulation, Jo Schofield, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust & NESC

To book your place, please email your details as soon as possible to cannulation.conference@nesc.nhs.uk

World Congress on Vascular Access

Intravenous conference: The 1st World Congress on Vascular Acces wil take place in Amsterdam in June 2010.

The congress will run from the 16th to the 18th of June.

The congress will be held in the RAI Amsterdam.

More information on the programme and how to register will be available on the WoCova website as soon as possible.

If you want to attend or be involved, send an email to info@wocova.com

Click here to visit the WoCoVA website.

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 which will develop credibility by terminating the unknowns, discrepancies and misunderstandings surrounding Vascular Access in Scotland. This will ultimately benefit patients and health-care professionals across the country. Our aim is to promote sharing best practice and provide a platform for discussion and debate. 

Guidance for Submission: 

• Submissions  should be summarised in no more than 250 words 
• Authors should indicate their preference for Poster or Oral Presentation 
• Submissions  should not contain diagrams or references 
• All places, organisations and people  should anonymised 

Conditions of Submission: 

1. The presenter author must register to attend the conference prior to submitting an abstract(s). Payment is not required until confirmation of acceptance. 
2. Abstracts will only be accepted if received online in the requested format by Friday 21st August 2009. An email confirmation of receipt will be sent within 48 hours. 
3. The first Author will receive all correspondence. 
4. If selected for Oral or Poster presentation, authors are required to make their presentation available as a pdf file for posting on the SCOTVAN conference webpage. 
5. The first author will be notified of the decision of the selection panel via email by Friday 18th September 2009. The Panel’s decision is final. 
6. Accepted abstracts will be reproduced in the printed and online programme. 

Submissions should be sent to: Linda.kelly3@ggc.scot.nhs.uk with ‘SCOTVAN Call for papers’ in the subject line 

For more information go to: www.scotvan.com

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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 own homes or in community NHS clnics thereby reducing the need for hospitalisation and increasing patient ability to return to their preferred place of care. 

 Alison sates “We are commissioned to provide IV antibiotics, Blood Product Transfusion, Intravenous Iron, Care and maintanence of Vascular accesss Devices and insertion of Midlines plus IV support for patients with long term conditions and Bronchiectasis”. Alison continues “The service provides clinical leadership, education, assessment and support to the PCT District Nursing and Community Matrons and partnership working with GPs and secondary care in the management of patients requiring intravenous therapy”.

Click here for conference details.

More IV news at IVTEAM

Vascular access team business case

Intravenous conference: Deborah Bolton, Clinical Nurse specialist IV Therapy, Brighton trust, is presenting at the IPS IV Conference in September 2009. Deborah writes “This year there has been a huge rise in the number of people contacting me requesting a copy of a business case that I completed in order to expand my IV Therapy Team in Brighton”.

Deborah continues ‘Increasingly business cases are required when attempting to introduce anything new into organisations, whether it is a new member of staff, a change to practice or a new piece of kit. No one taught me how to do this, so my first effort took almost 2 years to complete! To avoid others having to go through this trauma, I have written and article and will be presenting ‘How to put a successful business case together’ This will include who you need to talk to, how to overcome the multitude of barriers easily and quickly and provide people with a simple template that can be used again and again”.

Click here for conference details.

More IV news at IVTEAM

Stephen Rowley on ANTT

Intravenous conference: Stephen Rowley, Lead Cancer Nurse UCLH and ANTT UK Lead is presenting at the IPS IV Conference in Harrogate. Stephen will be talking about implementing ANTT as an NHS Trust standard aseptic techniqe. Stephen explains “Since 2004, 76 of 175 Acute NHS Trusts in England have requested the ANTT implementation pack. A review of hospital data and experiences following ANTT implementation demonstrates ANTT is an effective framework for standardising and improving aseptic practice across large clinical workforces. Findings also suggest this can have a positve effect on helping reduce hospital acquired infection. The reasons why ANTT has been so widely adopted and is the NHS’s first standard defined aseptic technique are discussed. Future plans for the project will also be given”.

Click here for the conference details.

More IV news at IVTEAM

Intravenous history at IV conference

Intravenous conference: Dr Neil MacGillivray, Honorary Post Doctoral Fellow in Scottish History University of Edinburgh will present the inaugural Dr Thomas Latta Lecture for the Intravenous (IV) Therapy Programme at Infection Prevention 09.

While focussing on the pioneering work of Dr Thomas Latta the paper will also examine the social, political and medical upheaval which resulted from the arrival of cholera in Europe in 1831: medical men were assassinated in Russia and there were real fears of revolution in many European countries.

The response of the medical profession will be reviewed referring to the work of Dr William Brooke O’Shaughnessy and examining the general helplessness of the profession in the face of this new disease when the mainstay of treatment was bloodletting. Not only did the new disease result in the first cardiac catheterisation but also the first use of intravenous saline by Dr Thomas Latta.

Click here to view the full conference programme.

More IV news at IVTEAM

IV conference – call for papers

Intravenous conference: The Infection Prevention Society (IPS) are pleased to invite submission of abstracts for free paper and poster presentations at Infection Prevention 09. In particular, IV nurses should consider presenting at the IV day on the 22nd September 2009. Two free paper sessions are availaable. If you are interested in presenting a paper please click here for more information.

Click here to view the Intravenous Therapy Programme for the 22nd September 2009.

 The themes of this year’s conference are:

• Informing expert practice 
• Promoting infection prevention excellence
• Sustaining systems for patient safety

More IV news at IVTEAM

Betsy McCaughey webinar

Intravenous conference: Pharmacy OneSource, creator of web applications to enable swift and safe healthcare, is pleased to announce an upcoming complimentary webinar: “Hospital Infection: Essential New Information to Support Cleaning and Screening.”

Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., former Lieutenant Governor of New York State and Chairman/Founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID), will provide startling new evidence on how surface bacterial contamination leads to increases in the rates of colonization and infection. Dr. McCaughey will present innovative practical steps on how to protect patients from contracting healthcare-associated infections.

Throughout her presentation, Dr. McCaughey will cite examples of success stories — hospitals that have significantly reduced infection rates of SSI, MRSA, CLABSI, etc. Her presentation is based on the latest research published in peer-reviewed journals and/or supported by extensive clinical surveillance.

Click here to register for the free webinar

Click here for the full news item on PR-inside.com

More IV news at IVTEAM

Safe practices webinar

Intravenous conference: To guide healthcare systems in providing care that is free from error and harm the National Quality Forum (NQF) is releasing its 2009 Safe Practices for Better Healthcare.  To accelerate the pace of adoption of Safe Practices nationwide, a year-long Webinar series will begin in April to provide Safe Practices implementation strategies and commentary from experts in the field.

“The Safe Practices offer clear tools for those who provide, purchase, and use healthcare to ensure that harm is reduced and care is safe.  While improvements have been made in patient safety, they must spread farther and faster,” said Janet Corrigan, NQF president and CEO. “We cannot afford — in lives or dollars — to provide care that is unsafe. Every patient deserves safe, high-quality healthcare, every time they receive care.”

Preventable errors cost the United States an estimated 98,000 lives annually, $17 billion to $29 billion per year in healthcare expenses, lost worker productivity, lost income, and disability. Even more troubling, while healthcare spending grows more than seven percent per year, it is estimated that patient safety is improving by only 1 percent or 2 percent.

Click here for the full story on ICT.

More IV news at IVTEAM

Baxter webinar

Intravenous conference: Baxter Healthcare Corporation via the TargetBSI website announces it will present the Webinar, “CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN): What Are We Learning?” on Tuesday, March 17 at 12 p.m. ET and on Thursday, March 19 at 2 p.m. ET.

The speaker is Mary Andrus, BA, RN, CIC, of Surveillance Solutions, who has worked with both the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) as a subject matter expert.

Click here to register for the Webinar.

More IV news at IVTEAM

Intravenous (IV) conference 2009

The IPS have announced the details of the IV Conference that is running in conjunction with the Infection Prevention 09 Conference.

The new IV Forum will be presenting their first full day’s programme in conjunction with the main IPS conference programme on Tuesday 22nd September.  This session is aimed primarily at people working in IV therapy but it will also be of interest to anyone working in infection prevention and control. Delegates can either register for the IV track on its own or register as a delegate to the whole IPS conference. Any delegate can select which sessions they attend on each day from the three main tracks in the programme.

The programme includes:

• Dr Thomas Latta Lecture – The father of infusion therapy. Presented by Neil MacGillivray, Honorary Post Doctoral Fellow in Scottish History  University of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Blood, bones and bacteria: The diversity of community IV services. Presented by Alison Smith, Liverpool PCT
• ANTT: Standardised approach to aseptic technique. Presented by Stephen Roley, Clinical Lead for Haematology & Lead Cancer Nurse, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Building a business case for vascular access teams. Presented by Deborah Bolton, Clinical Nurse Specialsit, IV Therapy, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
• Microbial biofilms: getting to the source of vascular access in infections. Presented by Marcia Ryder, Research and Consulting, Healthcare Acquired Biofilm Related Infections, San Mateo, California

Click here to view the full programme.

Click here to submit a free paper or poster presentation.

Click here to view the registration page.

More IV news at IVTEAM

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 April – Peterborough – Holiday Inn West Hotel

This national programme in April has been jointly developed by the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) and the EPIC2 authors/Thames Valley University. Each day is chaired by a Board Member of the Infection Prevention Society and speakers include Andrew Jackson IV Nurse Consultant, Carol Pellowe – Principal Lecturer at Thames Valley University, David Tucker – Senior Infection Control Nurse/IPS Board member, Sheila Inwood – Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and many other high profile speakers. 

It is free to all healthcare workers and includes educational handouts and catering provision. 

Click Here to register

More IV news at IVTEAM

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 trends will impact our future—come and learn how we can all better collaborate together to chart our course for success!
• Gain a humor-based perspective on the state of our government when the immensely entertaining comic team, the Capitol Steps, brings their unique brand of comedy to the NHIA stage.
• Become a vital part of the NHIA grassroots advocacy effort to secure meaningful coverage for home infusion therapies under Medicare by actively participating in our March 5th Legislative Hill Day, as historic numbers of our members travel to Washington, DC (on roundtrip buses) to lobby on Capitol Hill!
• Make the most of the opportunities to meet with all of your key product and service vendors, buying groups, and many more in the three-day 2009 NHIA Exposition by sending your team on a “product and service reconnaissance mission” in the exhibit hall and then comparing notes to reach the best decisions for your patients and your business—and don’t miss the NHIA Exposition Grand Opening Reception on Sunday, March 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Take part in lively discussions with your friends and colleagues as you network at the NHIA Roundtables program—and for the first time ever, earn pharmacy and nursing CE credit for this shared-learning experience.
• Sustain long-time professional relationships and friendships, initiate new associations, and explore ways to better collaborate to advance our field—all while engaging in the festive, new NHIA Fellowship & Networking Event, open to all conference registrants, on Tuesday evening (March 3 at 7:00 p.m.) at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
• Choose from over 45 Annual Conference programs to create an educational experience that will surpass your professional needs—all while becoming acquainted with peers from hundreds of other alternate-site infusion companies dealing with the same realities you face!

Click here to visit the conference website.

More IV news at IVTEAM

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 and refreshments. The seminar will address a wide range of infection prevention-related topics and will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. For more details, call Christine Armenti at (609) 588-7520 or Kathy Roye-Horn at (908) 788-6169. The deadline for registration is March 6.

Click here to view the original news story on ICT.

More IV news at IVTEAM

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 2009 – Brighton
• 22nd April 2009 – Peterborough

Official details have not been released yet. Click here to register. Further information may be obtained from stacy@fitwise.co.uk

More IV news at IVTEAM

Free healthcare safety seminar

Intravenous conference: ECRI Institute, an independent nonprofit that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, is offering a free educational breakfast seminar, “Hazard and Recall Management: Best Practices,” which will be held at ECRI Institute’s Headquarters in Plymouth Meeting, PA, on Wednesday, January 21, 2009.

The seminar is designed for hospital-based biomedical and clinical engineers, materials managers, risk managers, patient safety officers, and other health professionals responsible for responding to product alerts. The program is aimed at providing insight into identifying and locating affected healthcare products and putting an effective alert management process in place. 

“Managing hundreds of device recalls can be a daunting task for hospitals,” says James P. Keller, Jr., M.S., vice president, health technology evaluation and safety, ECRI Institute. “Through this seminar, participants will learn about ways to efficiently manage this process so that critical information about potentially dangerous products does not fall through the cracks.”

Seminar attendees will also learn the common missteps in the hazard and recall process, as well as how to establish executive-level buy-in to the alert process. In addition, the seminar will feature a panel/audience discussion on the five most common challenges of hazard and recall management.

Click here for the full story.

More IV news at IVTEAM

Free EPIC2 conference 2009

Intravenous conference: A FREE intravenous therapy study day aimed at helping your hospital implement national guidelines in preventing bloodstream infections is announced. This national programme in January has been jointly developed by the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) and the EPIC2 authors/Thames Valley University. 

Each day is chaired by Martin Kiernan, President of the Infection Prevention Society and speakers include Andrew Jackson IV Nurse Consultant, Carol Pellowe – Principal Lecturer at Thames Valley University, Yvonne Curran – Nurse Consultant Infection Control, Health Protection Scotland and many other high profile speakers. It is free to all healthcare workers and includes educational handouts and all catering.

Register early – spaces are limited to 150 per venue:

• Newcastle 15th January 2009
• Glasgow 16th January 2009
• Dublin 19th January 2009
• Belfast 20th January 2009

To register free visit www.fitwise.co.uk/events_2008.htm or click here to complete a paper application.

More IV news at IVTEAM

IV conference from IPS 2009

Intravenous conference: The IPS are celebrating the past and looking at the future. The annual Infection Prevention Society conference and exhibition will celebrate fifty years of infection prevention and control nursing. As part of the celebrations an Intravenous Therapy Conference will run concurrently with the IPS conference and exhibition. The IPS conference and exhibition will take place at the Harrogate International Centre from the 21st to the 23rd September 2009. Further details of the IV conference will be announced shortly.

If you are interested in joining the IPS IV Forum email ips@fitwise.co.uk

Visit the IPS website at www.ips.uk.net

More IV news at IVTEAM

3rd national joint HAI conference

intravenous conference: The 3rd  national joint conference on healthcare associated infection is announced. The conference ‘Everybody’s role, everybody’s responsibility: reducing infection across the community’ will take place on Wednesday 14th January 2009 at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.

The Department of Health, the Royal College of Nursing and the National Patient Safety Agency are committed to joint professional working which promotes and facilitates patient safety. This is the third joint national conference, and is aimed at all levels of health care professionals and clinicians who wish to reduce levels of HCAI. Our speakers will explore the current position in relation to HCAI and how we can further improve standards of care through collaborative working with our partner organisations.

Click here for the conference flyer and booking form.

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Dialysis conference 2009

Intravenous conference: The Annual Dialysis Conference: the Twenty-ninthth Annual Conference on Peritoneal Dialysis, Fifteenth International Symposium on Hemodialysis and Twentieth Annual Symposium on Pediatric Dialysis is presented by the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology; Continuing Medical Education; the University of Missouri-Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing; and the Academy for Postgraduate Health Care Education.

This conference convenes an international group of practitioners and researchers to discuss current developments in the field of dialysis. The conference is designed for health professionals involved in established dialysis programs, as well as those working in new and developing programs. Both researchers and clinicians will find sessions of interest to them. Extensive commercial exhibits give participants a chance to see for themselves what is new in PD and HD products.

Click here for the conference brochure.

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Clinical skills conference

The Third International Clinical Skills Conference organisers invite the submission of abstracts on papers for presentation at the conference. Abstracts should relate to research in clinical skills education at undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing health professional levels.

The Third International Clinical Skills Conference is in Prato, Tuscany and will look at researching clinical skills and showcasing best practice for students and practitioners.

Important Dates

 

• Abstracts due: Sunday, 7th December 2008
• Abstracts notification: Friday, 6th February 2009
• Conference dates: Wednesday, 1st July – Saturday, 4th July 2009

 

Abstracts for should relate to one or more of the following topics:

 

• Which research strategies can advance the clinical skills movement?
• Solution Research in clinical skills
• Transfer factors : from simulation to reality
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Professionalism as part of clinical competence
• How can clinical skills education improve patient safety?
• Clinical skills teaching – good value or value added?

 

Please visit www.internationalclinicalskillsconference.com for further information and to submit your abstract on-line.

More IV news at IVTEAM

 

Patient safety congress 2009

Health Service Journal and the Nursing Times are delighted to announce the launch of the Patient Safety Congress 2009. Following the immense success of the inaugural event last May, which saw 800 delegates and over 100 speakers, we are pleased to bring you early information about next year’s event. We have again teamed up with the National Patient Safety Agency, the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and the Health Foundation, and this year the Department of Heath HCAI and Cleanliness Division and NHS Connecting for Health have also joined our partnership.

Click here for more information.

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Symposium includes needlestick

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), through the Division of Safety Research, has a broad research program focused on preventing traumatic occupational injuries. As part of this effort, NIOSH is hosting the fourth National Occupational Injury Research Symposium (NOIRS) on October 21–23, 2008, at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. NOIRS is the only national forum for presenting research methods, data, and findings focused exclusively on the prevention of occupational injuries. Abstracts from the oral and poster session presentations will be posted to the NIOSH website after the symposium.

Leading researchers in occupational injury prevention will present findings about many major categories of injury, including needlestick. Those unable to attend the conference can participate electronically by posting comments, research, and real-world examples on the NIOSH Science Blog.

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HAI conference

The Lancet have announced the healthcare-associated infections conference at the QEII conference centre, London, UK, December 11-12, 2008.

Healthcare-associated infections will combine state-of-the-art lectures with the opportunity for delegates to discuss management of HAIs with key opinion leaders. We anticipate that participants will benefit from:

• A greater understanding of the impact of mandatory surveillance and public reporting.
• Enhanced knowledge of the best approaches for achieving a sustainable reduction in HAIs.
• An update on the WHO multimodal strategy to improve hand hygiene.
• An opportunity to discuss perspectives and exchange ideas for the future of infection control.
• An insight into fundamental strategies to bring about change within their organisations.

Click here for further information.

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INS conference 2009

The INS 2009 Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition is fast approaching, and INS is seeking Abstracts and Posters for presentation at the meeting in Nashville. Abstracts and Educational Posters present research or clinical innovations related to the specialty of infusion nursing that include, but are not limited to: administration, clinical practice, cost-effectiveness, patient or staff education, or professional issues. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2009. This year’s meeting is being held May 16-21 at the Gaylord Opryland® Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Click here for more information.

AVA conference dates announced

The Association for Vascular Access announce the dates and venue for the 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting. The venue will be Las Vagas and the dates for your diary are September 14-17, 2009. Registration and housing fees will be posted on the AVA website December 1, 2008.

Click here for more information on the AVA website.

 

Prevention of line sepsis

Roundtable Summit to Formulate Recommendations for the Prevention of Line Sepsis with take place October 3rd 2008. Delegates will include representation from  Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), The Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety, University HealthSystem Consortium and Allegheny Health System.

“A Leadership Strategy for the Prevention of Line Sepsis” roundtable summit, supported by an educational grant from Cook Medical, provides a forum to develop clear recommendations for patients and the healthcare community to follow to prevent line sepsis. The summit will engage healthcare providers across disciplines, government agencies and constituency groups in an educational dialogue on amending behaviors to prevent line sepsis, while also empowering hospitals and patients with information regarding infection and prevention practices.

Click here for more.

CRBSI prevention program

Teleflex Medical today announced the launch of an infection-protection speaker program that will take Read more

AVA conference update

Marketwatch.com have reported that improvements in the prevention of catheter-related infections will be the prime focus at the annual conference of the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) September 11-14 in Savannah, Ga.

The conference comes on the eve of major changes in Medicare that will eliminate payments to hospitals that fail to prevent certain hospital-acquired infections.

Among conference presentations on preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections:

• Allan Morrison, Jr., M.D., will describe the vision of an infection control program that can improve clinical outcomes and decrease infection rates, high-risk antibiotic use, hospital lengths of stay, and mortality.
• Stephen Ash, M.D., FACP, and Deb Richardson, R.N., M.S., CNS, will review current data about the effect of catheter locks or coatings on the infection rates. The speakers will also examine the potential for these technologies to significantly reduce catheter-related infections in the future.
• Kari Love, R.N., B.S., will present a poster to show how use of a closed luer access, split-septum device has eliminated catheter-related bloodstream infections for eight months in an adult medical-ICU population. The device replaced a positive-pressure mechanical valve.

 

 

Aseptic Non-Touch Technique

We reported in July 2008 that the Aseptic Non Touch Technique implementation team had announced the 1st National Conference on Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) on the 29th September 2008. This is now sold out. However, this is not all bad news, the team have announced a second date. If you did not manage to book a place on the September conference the team are repeating the conference on the 27th October 2008.

This National Conference for ANTT will present important latest evidence and developments from leading NHS hospitals.

Click here for further information.

Congress on vascular access

The Vascular Access Society have announced the 6th International Congress on Vascular Access. The congress will take place in Rome (Italy) on April 20th to the 22nd 2009.

Click here for more information.

 

Parenteral nutrition study day

Fresenius Kabi have announced the date for the 2008 Parenteral Nutrition Study Day – The Birth of a New Read more

Free HCAI technology events

Smart Solutions are offering free HCAI technology events during September 2008. At the events you will hear from a keynote speaker and have the opportunity to put your questions directly to a member of the Smart Solutions project team.

The Smart Solutions team will also be at the Infection Prevention Society annual conference at Harrogate International Conference Centre from 22-24 September. To arrange a meeting contact the team in advance on 0161 901 2697.

The free HCAI events are:

 

• Wednesday 3 September, 12-2pm – Biopark, Welwyn Garden City – Hosted by Health Enterprise East, contact Maggie Lewis on 01480 364925 for reservations.
• Thursday 4 September, 9.30am-1pm – Brooklands Hotel, j37 off M1, near Barnsley – Hosted by Medilink, contact Nikola Alevizos on 0114 222 6317 for reservations.
• Thursday 18 September, 9.30am-1pm – Liverpool Innovation Park, Edge Lane – Hosted by Medilink NW, contact Hayley Hall on 0161 901 2513 for reservations.

Click here for more information.

Intravenous Conference New Zealand

IVNNZ Inc have announced the 11th Intravenous Nursing New Zealand Conference  is taking place 10-12th September 2008, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand.

This years keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Krzywda, Nurse Cliniician, USA.

Click here for the conference flyer.

Click here for an application form.

Scottish IV Access Conference

The Scottish Intravenous Access Network has announced its 4th Annual conference. The conference will be held at Beardmore Conference Hotel, Clydebank and is scheduled for the 23rd October 2008.

The cost of this conference is a remarkable £45 per delegate (includes lunch).

Contact Linda Kelly for an application form linda.kelly3@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

The conference is aimed at all healthcare professionals involved in the insertion, care and maintenance of all types of intravenous access devices. The day is divided into lectures and workshops, topics covered in the day include:

• Development of a competency framework for staff working with CVAD
• Teaching patients to care for CVAD’s in the home
• Developing care bundles for CVAD’s
• Dealing with complications of CVAD insertion.
• CVAD’s through a patients eyes.
• Setting up a PICC insertion service.
• The latest developments in catheter maintenance.
• Patient information.

IPS conference 2008

The inaugural Infection Prevention Society (incorporating the ICNA) Conference & Exhibition will take place from the 22nd-24th September 2008 at the Harrogate International Centre. This key Infection Prevention and Control Conference is an essential event for anyone who has the challenge of preventing and controlling infections that occur through the provision of care or in the wider community.

Eminent plenary speakers confirmed include::

• Prof. Stephan Harbarth (Attending Physician, Infectious Diseases, University of Geneva Hospitals)
• Prof. Dinah Gould (Professor of Healthcare Research, City University, London)
• Dr. Stephanie Dancer (Consultant Microbiologist, NHS Lanarkshire)
• Professor Robert Haley (Director, Division of Epidemiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center)

The themes for each day are: 

• Monday 22nd September – Informing infection prevention practice 
• Tuesday 23rd September – Promoting patient and public safety through control of infection 
• Wednesday 24th September – Sustaining quality improvement for infection prevention

Click here to view the full programme.

Booking form.

Addenbrooke’s IV conference

Addenbrooke’s Hospital, UK are holding an International IV Conference ‘Vascular Access – Enhancing Best Practice’

This international conference is aimed at all multi-disciplinary teams who are involved in intravenous therapy and central venous access. The conference runs for two days starting on the 25th September 2008.

Key themes include:

• insertion, care and complications of intravenous devices, both in hospital and in the community
• legal issues surrounding IV therapy and how to deal with them
• setting up a team
• procedure guidelines
• future directions and new technology.

Draft agenda

AVA conference brochure

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) have published the brochure for the 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting.

The Association for Vascular Access will stress the value of a multidisciplinary approach as AVA demonstrates its leadership role in all aspects of vascular access. This conference incorporates multiple venues for vascular access education and networking. Through general sessions outlining cutting-edge technology along with research and scientific-based information, exhibitor theaters, breakout sessions, mini-breakout sessions, poster presentations, and product exhibits, each participant will be introduced to the latest technology in vascular access. 

Click here for conference brochure.

ANTT conference

The Aseptic Non Touch Implementation team have announced the 1st National Conference on Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) on the 29th September 2008 – London, UK. This National Conference for ANTT will present important latest evidence and developments from leading NHS hospitals.

Speakers include; Dr Carole Pellowe will update on EPIC2 progress and explain how ANTT is the vehicle for hospitals to successfully deliver best aseptic practice guidance from EPIC2, DOH and the ICP in the workplace. Renowned experts in the field; Stephen Rowley, Dr Peter Wilson, Annette Jeanes and Andrew Jackson will provide practical insight and the context of aseptic management in health care settings.

Click here for further information.

 

MADRI conference on CRBSI

The Multidisciplinary Alliance Against Device-Related Infections (MADRI) hosted its eighth annual conference June 6-8, 2008 in Lansdowne, VA where leading infection specialists presented on a variety of topics, including research goals in epidemiology and infection control, legal perspectives on MRSA and catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs).

“Driven by discussions around improving patient care and the prevention of device-related infections, the eighth annual MADRI conference was a huge success,” said Rabih Darouiche, M.D., VA distinguished service professor, Departments of Medicine (Infectious Disease Section) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and director of Center for Prostheses Infection and MADRI founder. “In an open and educational atmosphere, experts across disciplines were able to discuss challenges associated with device-related infections and exchange ideas about prevention and improvement of patient care.”

One of the main themes of the conference was CRBSIs, a common nosocomial infection that develops when bacteria enter the blood stream through a central venous catheter (CVC).

European PICC conference

GAVeCeLT announce the 2nd PICC International Meeting on PICCs and midline catheters.

The conference will take place on December 3rd, 2008 in the Congress Centre ‘Europa’ – Catholic University, Rome. This day is then followed by the 6th GAVeCeLT congress international meeting on long term vascular access devices.

Click here for further information.

Recent EPIC2 conferences

London, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester hosted what has turned out to be a remarkable set of free study days that examined the practical aspects of implementing EPIC2, Saving Lives and ANTT.

This national program was developed jointly by the Infection Prevention Society and Thames Valley University. On behalf of all the speakers, sponsors and conference organizers I would like to thank the audience at each venue. Your involvement, interest and interaction made a world of difference… thank you.

I would also personally like to take this opportunity to thank the conference organizers ‘Fitwise‘ for managing a roadshow of logistical mammoth proportions with apparent ease and professionalism throughout. Also, I must thank the sponsors, without whom this event would not have taken place. The sponsors include Enturia, BBraun, 3M, Daniels Healthcare, Ecolab, Fannin Healthcare, G+N Medical, Tealwash, Vernacare and Royal Navy.

Finally, I am pleased to offer a link to the Harage (2007) Zero CRBSI article discussed at the study days and the link to the Association of Vascular Access ‘SAVE that line’ train the trainer online program.

 

ANTT conference

Stephen Rowley has announced the date for a national Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) conference in London, UK.

The date to reserve in your diary is 29th September 2008.

Details will be posted on the ANTT website shortly.

Vascular Access Meeting

The 4th St George’s Hospital Vascular Access Meeting has put out a call for abstract from medical and nursing teams. The meeting is planned for the 19th September 2008. The venue will be the Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK. The theme for the meeting will be ‘Vascular Access Care – Newer Surgical Techniques. Click here for further information.

The deadline for receipt of abstracts in August 18th, 2008.

The cost of attending the meeting is £70.00.

Further details from:

Emma Freund 

DirectLine: 07867906204 

Email: vascularaccess@wlgore.com

Last chance – free study day

Last chance to attend the Epic2 & Saving Lives Implementation Study Day.

London 2nd June SOLD OUT

Bristol 3rd June Few free tickets remain

Birmingham 4th June SOLD OUT

Manchester 5th June SOLD OUT

A free study day aimed at helping your Trust implement national guidelines in preventing infections and to help save even more patients’ lives.

This national programme in June has been jointly developed by the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) and the EPIC2 authors/Thames Valley University.  A faculty of experts in their field has been assembled to lead the delivery of each study day.  It is free to all healthcare workers.

To register free visit www.fitwisereg.com or complete the application form.

Spaces are limited to 150 per venue.

 

Techniques for declotting VAD’s

On the third day of the 35th INS conference in Phoenix, Arizona, Jennifer Estela-Stollwerk, BSN, CRNI provided us with an extensive overview of techniques used for the declotting of venous devices. Jennifer described how 42% of catheter occlusions may be attributed to non-thrombotic events such as lipid deposits. The remaining 58% are described as thrombotic.

Jennifer described the use of ethanol, hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of a variety of non-thrombolytic occlusions.

For the treatment of thrombolytic occlusions, Jennifer describes both treatment with medication and mechanical methods of declotting.

We would like to thank Smith & Nephew Healthcare Ltd for their support which has allowed IVTEAM to attend this grand event.

Marcia Ryder on biofilm

Marcia Ryder PhD, MS, RN began her session at the 35th INS conference in Phoenix, Arizona with a stark reminder. She told the assemble audience that during her one hour presentation something in the region of 30 people will die in the US of a healthcare associated infection (HCAI)!

The audience are then informed of another stark reality associated with IV’s and the treatment of infection. Bacteria organise themselves into a cooperative community. This bacterial community is held together with biofilm.

Marcia held the attention of her audience for the full hour. The presentation included many informative messages, the two messages that I would like to share is that ‘…all HCAI’s are are a biofilm disease’ and ‘…health care professionals need to re-think the basic things that we do’. Finally, Marcia reminded us that 100 trillion bacteria reside on our skin!

To read more about Marcia’s work on biofilm we recommend that you read the following article… Ryder M.A. (2005) Catheter-related infections: It’s all about biofilm. Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal. 5(3), posted 18/08/2005.

We would like to thank Smith & Nephew Healthcare Ltd for their support which has allowed IVTEAM to attend this grand event.

 

INS 2008 kicks off in style

The 35th INS conference in Phoenix, Arizona commenced in style this morning at 8am with a keynote address from Tom Hayes who left the audience with tears in their eyes. Tom brought humour to the proceedings whilst delivering his message of live, love, laugh and learn.

This was followed by the first general session ‘models of care for vascular access teams’. 

The exhibition is supported by approximately one hundred companies, covering every aspect of IV therapy. products debuting at the conference include the new Chlorhexidine impregnated dressing from 3M and Baxter’s ‘V link silver impregnated IV connector’

We would like to thank Smith & Nephew Healthcare Ltd for their support which has allowed IVTEAM to attend this grand event.

AVA 22nd annual conference

The Association of Vascular Access are accepting abstracts for podium and poster presentations for their 22nd Annual Conference, September 11-14, 2008 in Savannah, GA.

Presentations must fit one of the following categories and bear a direct relevance to the field of vascular access – a) Clinical Research, b) Innovations in Education or Practice, c) Health Care Policy & Delivery or d) Clinical Case Study/Quality Improvement.

All abstract submissions must be submitted NO LATER THAN 12:00 Midnight PDT on June 16, 2008. Authors will be notified by email of acceptance as soon as possible following review.

Submission forms are available online.  Click here  to download or by calling 1-877-924-2821. Authors must submit their abstract submission forms electronically by e-mail to cchernecky@mcg.edu.

EPIC2 & Saving Lives Study Day

Epic2 & Saving Lives Implementation Study Day

London 2nd June

Bristol 3rd June

Birmingham 4th June

Manchester 5th June

A free study day aimed at helping your Trust implement national guidelines in preventing infections and to help save even more patients’ lives.

This national programme in June has been jointly developed by the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) and the EPIC2 authors/Thames Valley University.  A faculty of experts in their field has been assembled to lead the delivery of each study day.  It is free to all healthcare workers.

To register free visit www.fitwisereg.com or complete the application form.

Spaces are limited to 150 per venue.

 

IVTEAM are going to Arizona

We are very pleased to announce that we have received corporate sponsorship to attend the May 2008 Infusion Nurses Society annual meeting and exhibition in Phoenix Arizona. Check out this blog from the 2nd May for updates directly from Arizona.

RCN IV Therapy 2008 Conference

The Royal College of Nursing have put out a call for papers and abstracts for the 2008 IV Therapy Conference on the 18th – 19th November 2008, in the City Hall, Cardiff. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is Friday 28th  Read more

A worthwhile study day at Worthing

Just a quick thank you to the staff at Worthing & Southlands NHS Trust. They welcomed me to a recent study day where I presented an IV talk that looked at topics such as vascular access teams, midlines, IV documentation and patient information leaflets. It was very good to speak with  Read more

3M study day was a blast

I recently spoke at the 3M Advanced IV Study day at the National Space Centre on the 18th October 2007.The day was chaired with his usual professionalism by Martin Arrowsmith (Professional Service Manager, Skin Health, 3M Healthcare). First to present was Carmel Streater (Specialist Nurse Manager, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge). Carmel described her central venous access service with a dedicated purpose built vascular access unit.Following coffee, Ann Reed (Solicitor, Medeagle UK) kept the whole audience riveted with her knowledge and experience of assisting claimants with negligence claims against the health service. After lunch it was my turn. I offered an overview of peripheral IV problems followed by a focus upon nursing actions that can assist in problem prevention.In particular I looked at the standards that can be achieved with a vascular access team. Once I had finished Hayley Reading (Modern Matron, Leicester Royal Infirmary) demonstrated how she adapted and introduced the PIVA tool to improve the standard of peripheral IV care.Following completion of the day. Some of us went on a visit around the National Space Centre. To conclude I would recommend attending one of the 3M Advanced IV Study Days and visiting the National Space Centre.

Dates for your diary

I am looking forward to these few dates:

• 18th October 2007 – speaking at an IV study day at the National Space Centre, UK sponsored by 3M healthcare.
• 30th October 2007 – vascular access team article due to be published in Nursing Times.
• 5th November 2007 – RCN IV conference at RCN HQ, London. Not speaking, but check out the conference details here.
• 26th November 2007 – speaking at a postgraduate course in respiratory medicine at the Institute for lung health, Leicester, UK.
• 11th December 2007 – speaking at a Healthcare Events IV Conference in Manchester, UK.

More dates for your diary to follow as my diary fills.