Safety of high-dose intravenous mistletoe therapy in pediatric cancer patients
Our study underpinned the safety and feasibility of high-dose mistletoe infusion in children with advanced stages of cancer and showed noteworthy antineoplastic effects, which should be verified in a prospective clinical phase II/III-study” Zuzak et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long-term survival of children with cancer has reached rates of up to 80%. Nevertheless, continued research […]
JLB intravenous catheter designed for patients with difficult peripheral venous access
In patients with difficult peripheral venous access, alternative techniques require expertise and are invasive, expensive, and prone to serious adverse events. This brought us to designing a new venous catheter (JLB® Deltamed, Inc.)” Brugioni et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: In patients with difficult peripheral venous access, alternative techniques require expertise and are invasive, expensive, and […]
How to improve IV cannulation success in tortuous and valve-rich peripheral veins
Peripheral veins often contain tortuosities and valves that hinder the effective passage of intravenous catheters to the full extent of catheter length. This report describes a methodology termed flick-spin that has proven efficacious for venous catheter passage in tortuous and valve-rich peripheral veins” Lanier (2018). Abstract: Peripheral veins often contain tortuosities and valves that hinder […]
CLABSI rates following the introduction of a central line bundle
In this report, rates of CLABSI and central line utilisation were examined following the introduction of a central line bundle in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Canberra Hospital” Bannatyne et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) constitute a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal populations. There […]
Hepatitis C virus infection among haemodialysis patients
These results highlight the potential risk of hepatitis C virus transmission from patients within haemodialysis units in Egypt” Ali et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a severe problem among patients on maintenance haemodialysis who are at particular risk for blood-borne infections because of prolonged vascular access and […]
Patient empowerment in promoting hand hygiene compliance
Patient empowerment is a component of the World Health Organization’s multimodal strategy to improve hand hygiene (HH). Its successful implementation requires knowledge of the perceptions and attitudes of patients and health care workers (HCWs) toward patient empowerment in HH” Sande-Meijide et al (2018). Abstract: Background: Patient empowerment is a component of the World Health Organization’s […]
Building a team for difficult-vascular access in the emergency department
The implementation of a dedicated difficult venous access team can generate a significant decline in the time needed to obtain IV access for critical diagnostics and medical interventions” Whalen et al (2018). Abstract: Problem: Difficult venous access is a common problem in health care—especially in the emergency setting—that relies on quick diagnostics to differentiate patient […]
Ambulatory IV pump use continues to increase annually
Research suggests that the use of ambulatory pumps is becoming commonplace and with advancing technologies will continue to grow at an annual rate of approximately 9% over the next 5 years” Paparella (2018). Abstract: Before the 1980s, patients were often hospitalized to treat diseases unresponsive to oral medications. Since then, the increasing availability of ambulatory […]
Reducing needle-related pain and distress management in children
Children with intellectual disability despite receiving more relieving techniques during a needle-related procedure experienced more pain and anxiety when compared to healthy children” Pascolo et al (2018). Abstract: Children with intellectual disability frequently undergo needle-related procedures for diagnosis or treatment. Nevertheless, only a few studies deal with pain and distress management during the procedure in […]
Reducing phlebotomy orders with education and changes to IT requests
Recently, this practice has begun receiving attention as a potential target for efforts focused on eliminating overuse. Several organizations have published their efforts in this arena. Interventions have included education, feedback, and changes to computerized provider order entry (CPOE) but have yielded mixed results” Breen et al (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Daily phlebotomy is often a […]
Fear of needles research in this systematic review and meta-analysis
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of needle fear and summarize the characteristics of individuals who exhibit this fear” McLenon and Rogers (2018). Abstract: AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of needle fear and summarize the characteristics of individuals who exhibit this fear. BACKGROUND: Injections are […]
Review of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection
Despite recent gains, intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) remains an important clinical problem resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and excess economic cost” Rupp and Karnatak (2018). Abstract: Despite recent gains, intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) remains an important clinical problem resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and excess economic cost. Successful prevention of CRBSI requires careful […]
Effectiveness and safety of OPAT delivered ertapenem
Ertapenem OPAT was effective and safe. Caregivers in nursing homes should be better trained in OPAT-related procedures” Sanroma et al (2018). Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ertapenem in patients hospitalized at home. PATIENTS & METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data from Spanish Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) registry. RESULTS: Data from 1428 […]
Hemodialysis central venous catheter malposition into the chest
In this report, we describe the case of a 77-year-old patient on chronic hemodialysis via catheter due to arteriovenous fistula dysfunction. We placed a cuffed-tunneled hemodialysis catheter in the left internal jugular vein. Malpositioning of the catheter led to perforation of the great veins and migration of the catheter tip into the chest” Xie et […]
Review of key medical procedural skills during the early months of internship
The aim of this study was to evaluate the intern preparation package by exploring interns’ self-reported knowledge, confidence, and experience in key procedural skills during the early months of internship” McKenzie and Mellis (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: On commencing internship, new medical graduates (new interns) are often required to perform core procedural skills under differing levels […]
Management of patients on injectable treatments for tuberculosis
Hospital-based care was compared to a community-based approach for patients on TB retreatment in which ‘guardians’ (patient-nominated lay people) were trained to deliver injections to patients at home” Cohen et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients being treated for recurrent or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) require long courses of injectable anti-tuberculous agents. In order to maintain strong […]
Nursing students are a vulnerable group at risk of needlestick injury
The aim of this study is to determine the most susceptible job group for needlestick injury (NSI) reported in a newly established teaching medical institute in the Western part of Rajasthan, India” Hada et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogen is a significant risk to health-care workers. In any teaching hospital apart […]
Chlorhexidine-coated surgical gloves influence the bacterial flora of hands
Previously, we were able to demonstrate that a novel antimicrobial surgical glove coated chlorhexidine-digluconate as the active ingredient on its inner surface was able to suppress surgeons’ hand flora during operative procedures by a magnitude of 1.7 log10 cfu/mL” Suchomel et al (2018. Abstract: Background: The risk of SSI increases in the presence of foreign […]
Paradigm shift associated with hand hygiene standards
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) affect hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. Performing hand hygiene is widely accepted as a key strategy of infection prevention and control (IPC) to prevent HAI, as healthcare workers’ contaminated hands are the vehicle most often implicated in the cross-transmission of pathogens in healthcare” Vermeil et al (2018). Abstract: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) […]
Double intraosseous access has the potential to augment resuscitation
Double anatomic site IO catheter placement has the potential to augment resuscitation in cases where vascular access is challenging. We sought to compare flow rates and complications among 4 single and double anatomic site transfusion strategies in a swine model of hemorrhagic shock” Sulava et al (2018). Extract: “The American College of Surgeons Advance Trauma […]
Study of four intraosseous blood transfusion strategies
Intraosseous (IO) access is used by military first responders administering fluids, blood, and medications. Current IO transfusion strategies include gravity, pressure bags, rapid transfusion devices, and manual push-pull through a three-way stopcock” Auten et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intraosseous (IO) access is used by military first responders administering fluids, blood, and medications. Current IO transfusion […]
IV survival rates between standard long intravenous lines and extended dwell catheters
Of the 150 million IVs placed annually in the US, 10-30% of ED patients are classified as having difficult vascular access (DVA)” Shotkin et al (2018). Extract: “Establishing functional peripheral intravenous (IV) access is a vital step in providing care in the emergency department (ED). Of the 150 million IVs placed annually in the US, […]
Impact of ultrasound guided-central venous access training on CLABSI rates
To address this limitation, we designed and conducted a standardized training course and a performance-based competency examination for all residents at a single institution and assessed the impact on the resident CLABSI rate” Lyon et al (2018). Extract: “Prior research has examined methods and processes for the teaching of ultrasound-guided central venous access (USGVA). None […]
Transfusion reactions and consequences of mismatched blood components
This article will outline the validated methods of cross-matching in the laboratory setting. We will also discuss transfusion reactions and consequences of transfusion of inappropriate or mismatched blood components” Sandham and Altemimi (2018). Abstract: Cross-matching of blood components to the patient’s blood is mandatory to ensure the safe transfusion of suitable blood components in a […]
Scenario-based simulation health care education for hand hygiene compliance
Our training course had a positive effect on hand hygiene. This study is the first effective scenario-based simulation health care education on hand hygiene and control of health care–associated infection” Nakamura et al (2018). Abstract: Background: Simulation health care education is widely used in medical education and has great potential. However, scenario-based simulation health care […]
Ultrasound guided IV insertion curriculum for emergency medicine trainees
Ultrasound-guided IV (USGIV) insertion is a safe and effective procedure to obtain access in DIVA patients; however, at our institution, most residents receive only informal instruction” Amick et al (2018). Extract: Establishing venous access in difficult IV access (DIVA) patients is a Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) milestone for emergency medicine trainees. Ultrasound-guided […]
Safety of midline catheter placement in the emergency department
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of midline catheter placement in the emergency department, and the potential complications of placement” Eraso et al (2018). Extract: “The advent of ultrasound and ultrasound-guided IVs have markedly increased the possibilities of peripheral access for the emergency department (ED). Where there were previously […]
Composition of biofilm covering the surfaces of Mahurkar Maxid and Palindrome catheters
The aim of this work was to study the composition and distribution of the film covering the surfaces of Mahurkar Maxid and Palindrome catheters, which were removed from the body of long-term hemodialysis patients” Nycz et al (2018). Abstract: PURPOSE: The vascular cannulation is associated with a number of complications. The aim of this work […]
Procedural risk attributable to internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral central venous access
Central venous catheter (CVC) complication rates reflecting the application of modern insertion techniques to a clinically heterogeneous patient populations are needed to better understand procedural risk attributable to the 3 common anatomic insertion sites: internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral veins” Bell et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter (CVC) complication rates reflecting the application […]
Training for ultrasound-guided vascular access to small vessels in neonates
Critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients often require central vascular access. Real-time ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization is beneficial. Because the diameter of central veins is much smaller in neonates than in adults, extensive training is needed to master the visualization and catheterization of central veins in neonates” Wagner et al (2018). Abstract: OBJECTIVES: […]