How to Perform an LVAD Driveline Dressing Change The following steps summarize how to perform a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) driveline dressing change with use of Mastisol® Liquid Adhesive and Detachol® Adhesive Remover, as demonstrated by Abigail Vowels, RN, BSN. Vowels is the Circulatory Device Program Leader at Dignity Health/Mercy General Hospital. In this…
As 2022 ends, we would like to thank you for reading the Eloquest Healthcare Blog! We hope you have found our posts during the last 12 months to be both informative and impactful to your professional career. Here are some of the past year’s highlights that we invite you to visit… One of our favorite…
A “STICKY” Situation: Randomized Controlled Trial Investigates Use of Liquid Adhesive to Increase Dressing Adherence & Reduce CVAD FailureCVADs – Essential Devices with High Failure Rates Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential to the timely and effective treatment of critically ill patients. They deliver lifesaving drugs, nutrition, and blood products. Yet despite their importance,…
The Importance of Skin Integrity Maintaining skin integrity is an important part of infection prevention throughout patient care. Skin is the body’s first line of defense, acting as a barrier to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the body. When this barrier is disrupted, pathogens can enter through the site of injury and cause infections.1 Skin…
The BEST Endotracheal Tube (ETT) Securement Method is RevealedEndotracheal Tube (ETT) Stabilization Endotracheal intubation is a common lifesaving procedure. ETT placement can occur in operating rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), or emergency departments. It is important to ensure ETTs are properly secured to prevent displacement.1 ETT dislodgment can lead to potentially life-threatening complications such as…
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Associated Complications LVADs are the standard of care for patients with advanced heart failure. LVAD placement is a relatively common procedure, with more than 2,000 LVAD implants recorded each year over the past ten years in the United States alone.1 Complications that LVAD patients may experience during treatment include severe…
Michelle DeVries, MPH, CIC, VA-BC, recently gave a webinar titled “Putting the Standards into Practice… and Not Stopping There!” With more than 25 years of experience, Michelle is an expert in the field of infection prevention with a focus on vascular access. Here, we’ve summarized some of the main points of her presentation. View the…
Guest Author: Jack LeDonne MD, FACS, VA-BC We are excited to welcome back Jack LeDonne, MD, FACS, VA-BC to the Eloquest Healthcare Blog! Dr. LeDonne hails from Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Fordham University and St. George’s University, School of Medicine, in Grenada. Dr. LeDonne completed his surgical residency at the Wyckoff Heights Hospital, in…
In celebration of IV Nurses Day taking place this week on Tuesday, January 25th, we felt it timely to review our favorite 3 Questions with… vlog segments including notable thought leaders in the world of vascular access. If you’re not familiar, 3 Questions with… features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties answering…
Frequent Dressing Disruptions Vascular access dressing disruptions occur frequently during vascular access device (VAD) maintenance, leading to premature dressing changes. This issue has been examined by multiple studies. According to a study undertaken by Timsit, et al., approximately 67% of central venous catheter (CVC) dressing changes are performed before the planned date.1 This can be…