Current and emerging vein identification technology for phlebotomy and peripheral I.V. cannulation.

ABSTRACT: New, evidence-based technologies can improve venous access for phlebotomy and I.V. insertion, especially in patients with difficult I.V. access. This article discusses adjunctive vein access tools that can improve the success of first-time blood draws and peripheral I.V. insertion.

Nurses as Clinical Advisors in an Interprofessional COVID-19 Crisis Command Center.

The use of nurses as clinical advisors in an interprofessional COVID-19 crisis command center proved successful. By engaging nurses as clinical advisors in the command center structure, one organization was able to facilitate optimal decisions around nursing leadership and advocacy, capacity and staffing, the development and implementation of innovative novel care models, clinical training and upskilling, and maintaining the safest possible environment for the patients and team members. Including a nurse-led clinical advisor role within future command center structures is an important strategy to reshaping how organizations effectively respond in times of crisis.

Development of an educational program using ultrasonography in vascular access for nurse practitioner students.

HIGHLIGHTS: Ultrasonography is an important tool for vascular access practice. Ultrasound should be used for vascular access assessment and insertion. Ultrasonography should be incorporated into formal nursing education curriculum and simulation training. BACKGROUND: This study analyzed nurse practitioner students' knowledge of ultrasound-guided vascular access after the implementation of an educational and simulation course. METHODS: Nurses' knowledge of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter placement was analyzed using a ten-item questionnaire both before and after course. A sample of bachelor's degree-prepared nurses voluntarily participated in this study. Ultrasonography simulation was carried out with two handheld ultrasound devices and two ultrasound blocks. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that there is a statistically significant increased comprehension of ultrasoundguided vascular access after simulation courses. CONCLUSION: This study illuminates the need for formal education both in academic curriculum and through simulation to improve ultrasound-guided vascular access knowledge for patient care.

Vascular Access Device Care and Management: A Comprehensive Organizational Approach.

The Infusion Nurses Society asserts that a comprehensive organizational approach to vascular access device (VAD) care and management is imperative to ensure safe and efficacious patient care. It is essential that each organization (1) develops policies and procedures to align VAD care and management with recognized standards of practice; (2) integrates unique aspects of organization-selected VAD care products into policies and procedures and establishes expectations for adherence to these organizational directives; (3) develops a framework for gathering and analyzing clinical data related to patient outcomes for VAD care and management; (4) utilizes quality outcome data to facilitate evidence-based best practices within the organization; and (5) evaluates and facilitates educational programming to validate clinician competency.

A comparison of the incidence of midline catheter-associated bloodstream infections to that of central line-associated bloodstream infections in 5 acute care hospitals.

In a retrospective study conducted over 12 months in a multi-hospital system, the incidence of bloodstream infections associated with midline catheters was not significantly lower than that associated with central venous catheters (0.88 vs 1.10 infections per 1,000 catheter-days). Additional research is needed to further characterize the infectious risks of midline catheters and to determine optimal strategies to minimize these risks.