Keep It Simple Specialist: One PICC, One Securement Device, Until End of Need At the AVA 2023 Scientific Meeting during the Vascular Access Talk sessions, Michelle (Mickey) Hawes, RN, DNP, CRNI, VA-BC, ACRP-CP followed-up her 2022 securement presentation and dove into the latest peer-reviewed data on SecurAcath. Affectionately referred to as the Clatterbridge Study, because…
Unlocking the Power of Vascular Access Teams: A Strategy to Reduce Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections The reduction and ultimate prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) is a key step to improving overall inpatient outcomes. And specially trained vascular access clinicians are key to making that reality possible. Bloodstream infections are a life-threatening challenge to the patient…
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…
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,…
The 8th edition of The Infusion Nurses Society Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (INS Standards) makes evidence-based practice recommendations to assist health care facilities in the standardization of their vascular access device and IV therapy practices. The INS Standards indicate that insertion site selection should be determined based on the prescribed infusion therapy plan while prioritizing vessel…
More Research Needed on Central Vascular Access Device (CVAD) Securement CVADs are a fundamental part of patient care and are widely indicated and used across many different medical specialties. Due to their prevalence, best practices have been established for CVAD placement. However, surprisingly little research has been done to investigate the effectiveness of securement methods…
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…
Eloquest Healthcare is excited to welcome back Jo Ann Brooks PhD, RN, FAAN, FCCP to the Eloquest Healthcare Blog! Dr. Jo Ann Brooks is a Healthcare Quality Consultant who retired in 2018 from Indiana University Health where she was System Vice President of Quality & Safety. In this role, she was responsible for oversight of…
Vascular Access is the most prevalent invasive medical procedure. While serious consequences can occur with this common procedure, ensuring optimal outcomes is possible. Matthew Gibson, RN, CRNI, VA-BC, CPUI recently presented a three-part Wednesday Workshop series, “Stop Struggling with Vascular Access Device Outcomes”. It is Matt’s mission to improve vascular access and infusion practices and…