Central line educational program
February 11, 2010
Intravenous news: To help consumers avoid the dangerous infections inherent with prolonged catheter use, the Read more
Saving lives support material
September 28, 2009
Intravenous news: Saving IVs is an implementation package for the peripheral IV elements of Saving Lives (DH Read more
Injection video
June 1, 2009
Intravenous training: Free Injection and IV placement videos from the Medical College of Georgia on iTunes.
NOTE: Particular procedural activities in these videos may be different to that of your organization and may require further consideration before the video is used for teaching.
Free videos available include:
- Venipuncture Intravenous Placement
- Subcutaneous Injection
- Injectable Medication Preparation
- Intramuscular
Click here to view the video download page on iTunes.
Vascular access training phantom
May 17, 2009
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 of the simulated palpable vessels under ultrasound. The phantom includes one bifurcated vessel and 2 straight walled vessels at a variety of depths and diameters to simulate a range of challenges often encountered in the clinical environment. The phantom can be easily replenished without leakage using a syringe (included) and a stopcock enables increased vessel pressure for more realistic simulation. The kit also includes needles and a supply of simulated blood. The phantom requires no special handling and will not dry out.
Click here for the full press release.
US contact admin@cirsinc.com
UK contact phil@imagingequipment.co.uk
Free injectable medicines course
May 3, 2009
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 this free online resource please click the following link www.learning.nesc.nhs.uk/course/view.php?id=59
eLearning for IV cannulation training
May 3, 2009
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 compliant e-Learning management system.
- Acts as a clinical resource, refresher update andaudit tool.
- Monitors and tracks individual learner progress.
- Supports your continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio with appraisal and certification of study hours.
- Gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to access education and training programmes 24/7.
- Reduces time away from the clinical area.
Contact the programme author for more information ran.kurvits@vygon.co.uk
Hand washing video
March 1, 2009
Intravenous news: CancerNursing.org have provided a free video on Hand Washing Technique. The video is presented by Charlotte Johnson, Hand Hygiene Facilitator at Cumbria NHS in the UK.
CancerNursing.org also provide a number of free online courses on subjects such as peripheral IV cannulation and Peripherally Inserted CEntral Catheters (PICC).
Click here to view the hand washing video page on CancerNursing.org
Click here to view the CancerNursing.org home page.
Clean your hands campaign video.
IV access training online
December 5, 2008
An online learning programme is set to be introduced at West Cumberland Hospital. Hospitals throughout North Cumbria (UK) will all benefit from the programme which has been developed by award winning cancer specialist Mark Irving. Courses on offer include: Venepuncture, Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation, and IV drug administration.
Director of Nursing for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust Sandy Brown said: “The trust is making significant investment in training and development by providing staff with additional, flexible learning opportunities. This will also benefit patients as skills develop.”
Staff have been invited to log on and complete online courses. To date the site has 750 members in the north of the county and 22,000 members worldwide. The tool will be launched at West Cumberland Hospital on Friday.
Click here to visit the site at www.nclearning.org.uk
Click here for the news release.
Peripheral intravenous cannulation video
November 20, 2008
Ortega, R., Sekhar, P., Song, M., Hansen, C.J. and Peterson L. (2008) Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation. The New England Journal of Medicine. 359(21).
Since this article has no abstract, below are the first 100 words from the narration of this Video in Clinical Medicine and its chapter headings.
Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation Introduction: The ability to obtain peripheral intravenous access is an essential skill for all physicians. Although considered one of the simplest invasive procedures, mastering this potentially lifesaving intervention requires refined skills and experience. Cannulating a vein, particularly a small one, can be challenging. The purpose of this video is to demonstrate how to access peripheral veins using an intravenous catheter. Indications Peripheral intravenous catheterization is required in a broad range of clinical applications, including intravenous drug administration, for intravenous hydration, transfusions of blood or blood components, during surgery, during emergency care, and in other situations in which . . .
- Introduction
- Indications
- Contraindications
- Anatomy
- Site Selection
- Equipment
- Preparation
- Procedure
- Troubleshooting
- Complications
- Summary
Click here for the video link – subscription to The New England Journal of Medicine may be required.
Virtual IV station
October 19, 2008
With two patient rooms, an operating room and an administrative station, LTC’s new Patient Simulation Center has the antiseptic look and feel of a hospital, right down to the shiny tile floor. It has been designed to incorporate the latest in high-tech equipment and clinical skills instruction in preparing students for health-care careers.
A tour of the center this past week revealed a cutting-edge approach that exposes students to real-life situations but without any of the risks. There is even a “virtual IV” station, where they learn by computer to successfully start an intravenous injection.
Click here for the full story.
ANTT training resource
October 18, 2008
The University of Nottingham has produced an online ANTT resource. The programme consists of short animated clips, a video demonstration and an assessment module.
Click here to view the programme.
Vascular access device training online
October 18, 2008
The NHS Core Learning Unit have launched an online vascular access training programme. The programme is available at www.corelearningunit.nhs.uk
Reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and increasing cleanliness across all care settings is everyone’s responsibility. Commissioned by the NHS Core Learning Unit, Thames Valley University London and Intuition designed and developed the National Infection Control Training program for use by all NHS staff – both clinical and non-clinical. The Programme was created to help all staff understand their role and make their contribution to cleaner, safer care.
The programme is available at www.corelearningunit.nhs.uk
INS webinar
September 11, 2008
With new federal regulations limiting reimbursements for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) looming on the horizon, B. Braun Medical Inc., the Infusion Nurses Society (INS), and the Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA), will host a Webinar series in September to equip nurses and hospital managers with best practices that can help prevent the spread of infections in their facilities.
The two part-Webinar series, titled “New CMS Ruling: The Impact on Health, Hospitals, and Infusion Therapy,” is scheduled for September 4 and September 16 and comes in response to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that will take effect on October 1. The rule prohibits payment to hospitals for care required to treat several types of HAIs.
Click here for more information.
IV therapy course in Jamestown
August 9, 2008
Jamestown Community College’s Warren Center has been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing to conduct an intravenous therapy course.
The non-credit 20-hour course, designed primarily for licensed practical nurses, will be conducted on Saturdays, Sept. 20 through Oct. 4 at the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council complex. Course enrollment is open to health care professionals able to administer IV therapy within their scope of practice.
”Currently, health care professionals leave the county for this training,” said Terrie Ericson, JCC Warren Center director. ”This opportunity will provide a more cost effective and convenient alternative for busy working professionals to get the training they need.”
Click here for the full story.
Peripheral IV
July 26, 2008
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that is reliant upon contribution from its readers. Wikipedia is a source that is often utilized by students learning about new topics. Those learning about intravenous therapy are no different. For this reason here at IVTEAM we feel that the Wikipedia IV pages could benefit from review by the IVTEAM readership.
For example the ‘Intravenous Therapy’ page introduces the reader to many IV topics. The peripheral IV section begins:
“This is the most common intravenous access method in both hospitals and pre-hospital services. A peripheral IV line consists of a short catheter (a few centimeters long) inserted through the skin into a peripheral vein, any vein that is not in the chest or abdomen. Arm and hand veins are typically used although leg and foot veins are occasionally used. Veins in the arm are the common site in emergency settings, commonly performed by paramedics and emergency physicians”.
Click here to view the Wikipedia page on Intravenous Therapy. Please contribute to the content if you can.
Marines learn IV access
July 12, 2008
Marines of 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, practiced saving lives during the Combat Lifesavers Course.
With a limited number of corpsmen in the field, Marines often have to rely on fellow Marines to provide initial care. That’s one reason why deploying units must be 100 percent combat lifesaver certified, according to Petty Officer 2nd Class Prayot Bunmeema.
“Typically there is only one corpsman per squad of 15 Marines, and the corpsman can’t always be where he is needed,” he said. “That’s where the combat lifesaver Marines come in.”
Students learned how to assist victims who have lost too much blood by learning to insert and manage intravenous therapy to replenish bodily fluids, which is also a treatment for shock.
“The best part of the training is definitely the IVs,” said Pfc. Michael Schumacker, a bulk fuel specialist with 9th ESB.
Click here to view the full story.
Child cannulation competencies
July 10, 2008
The RCN have available an education and training competency framework for peripheral venous cannulation in children and young people.
The framework identifies the competencies,learning outcomes and the indicative content necessary for education and training programmes to meet the needs of children and young people.It aims to support consistent curriculum and practice development so that practitioners can develop and,maintain the ability to carry out this task, regardless of where they work.
Click here to view the document.
Pharmacy admix training
June 28, 2008
Trinity Regional Health System are to offer training programs for pharmacy technicians, those who prepare medications and assist licensed pharmacists. Previously, pharmacy technicians have been required to have only a high school education and a clean criminal record. New state laws in both Iowa and Illinois will ensure they require certification.
“This program is all about medication and patient safety when they come into the hospital. More education for staff means increased leadership and quality of standards,” said Amy Descamps, Trinity’s lead pharmacy technician, who will also be the training program’s lead instructor.
A 2006 case involving Emily Jerry, a 2-year-old cancer patient in Ohio, seems to have triggered a nationwide change in laws regarding pharmacy technicians. The girl’s abdominal tumor, which was the size of a grapefruit, had responded to treatment and shrunk. During her last round of chemotherapy, though, a pharmacy technician formulated her medicine at 26 times the level it should have been. The error went unnoticed and the girl died three days later.
Click here for the full story.
Clinical skills network
June 19, 2008
The Clinical Skills Network – Yorkshire and Humberside have recently launched a new website. The network recognises that…
“Many challenges are faced when setting up clinical skills centres often requiring creative and innovative solutions with requests for information, support and guidance at a pragmatic level been continually sought from more established institutions. It has become clear that a support network is needed where individuals can come together to discuss issues of concern; share good practice and reduce the potential for re-invention of the wheel”.
Click here to visit the Clinical Skills Network.
Infusion Nurses Society webinar
June 13, 2008
INS to Present 3rd Module in Webinar Series on Catheter Patency.
The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) will be presenting the final catheter patency weninar module entitled Alternatives to Heparin in Locking and Maintaining Central Vascular Access Devices. This module will take place on June 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM EDT. The program is free to all INS members ($35 for nonmembers).
The entire series was developed through a nursing education grant from B. Braun Medical Inc.
If you have previously registered for this program, there is no need to do so again. If you did not, please don’t delay. Registration for this very important and informative program will be limited.
Register now http://eo2.commpartners.com/users/ins/
IV problem video
March 24, 2008
I have shown the IV problem video at a number of conferences and it has received great reviews. However, the conference version of the video has a different soundtrack (which is subject to copyright), therefore we have produced a version with a different soundtrack (not the same impact) but we hope you find it useful. Click here to view our video wall.
ANTT video clip
March 23, 2008
ANTT video clip added to the IV videocast on the right. Great clip… I particularly like the IV dressing that has been placed the wrong way! Click here to view our video wall.
Infection prevention video
March 23, 2008
Martin Kiernan (click here for his blog) has just published an Infection Prevention advert. Another prompt to encourage us to think about infection prevention standards. Click here to view our video wall.
PICC placement resource
February 12, 2008
Our commercial colleagues often try and provide educational resources that support our practice. Some work, for example The PIVA Toolkit from 3M. Some do not work! One other that definitely works Read more
VIP score videocast
January 22, 2008
This is my first attempt at making a video. The next one will be better. I have learnt so much. Thank you to my friends and collegues who helped with the production of this video. Click here to view our video wall.
Videocast update
December 16, 2007
Well the videocast is complete and we will soon upload it to Youtube. One tiny glitch with the sound quality at the end of the video that we will attempt to rectify prior to posting. Will try and have it posted within the next week 
Videocasting
October 27, 2007
Well the time has finally arrived. I recently attended a videocast workshop delivered by Keith Radley at Sheffield Hallum University, UK. What a fantastic and useful day. I now understand the grammar of television. I can now recognise a wide shot (WS); medium close up (MCU); I am even partial to looking room left and looking room right. What does this mean for my role in IV therapy and for this blog? Well I will soon launch a series of IV videocasts
Did the IV training make a difference
October 14, 2007
Whenever we do IV training we try and make it interesting and fun! We do not recommend that you do this with IV dressings. Only use IV dressings for the purpose they are intended!
Don’t worry no eyebrows were harmed during the taking of this picture
PICC tip
October 13, 2007
Can you spot the PICC tip? Just for fun… no prizes
