New Study Comparing Benefits of SecurAcath to Adhesive Securement Devices Last month, the findings from a peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) securement study at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in England were published in the Journal of Vascular Access by authors Carol McCormick, Mickey Hawes and Gregory Gilbert. The article expanded on the data set first…
Does the Securement of Drains Matter?Guest Author: M.L. Hawes, DNP, CRNI, VA-BC, ACRP-CP Consider: What is the difference between a vascular access round-tube in a vein to infuse life-saving medications or a drainage round-tube to relieve the body of excess life-ending fluids? Both round tubes need to be secured to accomplish the therapeutic goal. Drains…
Hospital Onset Bacteremia (HOB): Let’s Talk About ReportingGuest Author: Michelle DeVries MPH, CIC, VA-BC, CPHQ, FAPIC For several years there has been a lot of chatter about potential future expansion of bloodstream infection surveillance to move beyond only Central Line-Associated Bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and expand to include all hospital onset bacteremia (HOB). As this gets…
Wednesday Workshop Summary: Growing a Vascular Access Specialty Team (VAST) – One Step at a Time A vascular access specialist model has proven to reduce healthcare acquired complications including catheter-associated infections.1 A specialty team approach also is supported by evidence-based guidelines.2 Despite the evidence for improved patient safety, not all hospitals have a dedicated Vascular…
Vascular Access Device Pistoning: The Problem and SolutionGuest Author: Michelle (Mickey) Hawes, RN, DNP, CRNI, VA-BC, ACRP-CP Pistoning is a term used in the vascular access specialty to describe the small, repeated movement of a peripheral vascular access device (PVAD) or central venous access device (CVAD) in and out at the insertion site. Movement may…
Evidence-Based Strategies for Cost-Effective Occlusion ManagementGuest Author: Lee Steere, RN, CRNI, VA-BCNurse Manager, IV Therapy Services, Hartford Hospital Eloquest Healthcare is excited to welcome Lee Steere RN, CRNI, VA-BC to the Eloquest Healthcare Blog! Lee Steere, RN, CRNI, VA-BC has been leading the IV Team at Hartford Hospital for nearly 20 years. At his facility,…
Nurses Love Tape But It Can Be A Sticky Situation To Remove It Medical adhesive products are a critical tool in healthcare. Across virtually every medical specialty, the use of adhesives facilitates better securement of dressings and medical devices. Proper device securement is particularly important in vascular access, where the overarching goal is to provide…
3 Questions with Jocelyn Hill, MN, RN, CVAA(C), VA-BC 3 Questions With… is a video series that features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties such as Infection Prevention and Vascular Access. These experts answer questions on the latest insights, evidence and current practices. Eloquest Healthcare is proud to feature 3 Questions with…
Vascular Access Device Outcomes: Superior Securement Healthcare professionals often face challenges with the securement of vascular access devices (VADs). These challenges can lead to complications such as dislodgement, migration and infection. Best practice guidelines recommend that all vascular access devices (VADs) be secured to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes. There is a variety of…
3 Questions with Michelle (Mickey) Hawes, RN, DNP, CRNI, VA-BC, ACRP-CP Our “3 Questions with…” vlog series features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties such as Infection Prevention, Vascular Access, and more. These experts answer questions on the latest insights, evidence and current practices. For our newest “3 Questions With…” vlog, Eloquest…