Vascular Access – an evidence-based approach

New article on occlusion patterns & predictors in PICCs #vascularaccess #FOAMva free from journal for limited time..

http://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(17)30170-7/abstract

Disinfection and cleaning of ultrasound probes and transducers is extremely important in light of current infection control practices. The Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) and the Australasian College for Infection Prevention Control (ACIPC) have released their joint ‘Guidelines for Reprocessing of Ultrasound Transducers’. You can find the current guidelines available for download free from the links below. There is also a link to the use and storage of ultrasound gel.

Here are the resources;

Media Release Ultrasound Transducer Reprocessing Guidelines Set New Standard For Healthcare Industry

The safe use and storage for ultrasound gel

This came across my desk the other day, and while I had known about this 5 step concept and used it throughout my career, I thought it was a great and concise reminder for us all who work with intravenous and infusion medication administration, regardless of our specialty areas. NB: I have slightly edited this from its original form.

What are the nine (9) rights of intravenous medication administration?

Well known five rights of medication administration are,

1. Right patient
2. Right medication
3. Right dose
4. Right route
5. Right time.

Infusion therapy involves reconstitution of medications, infusing medications and solutions, insertion, maintenance and removal of vascular access devices, preventing catheter-related infection, and documentation.

Additional “rights” during infusion therapy include,

6. Right compatibility: Compatibility and chemical stability of medications / solutions are important to prevent possible drug to drug, and/or drug-solution interaction when multiple medications are administered through the same catheter or tubing. This is particularly in reference to a particular medication/solutions osmolality, osmolarity and pH.

7. Right duration: Appropriate infusion time or duration depends on the type of drug, patient’s age and condition.

8. Right vascular access device (VAD): Continuous infusion of vesicant medications and solutions with osmolarity higher than 900msOm/L requires a central vascular access device (INS SOP 2016). Clinicians require knowledge to select a central or peripheral VAD according to the chemical nature of the infusate, duration of treatment and condition of the patient.

9. Right patient assessment: High alert medications require vigilance and close monitoring.

Nevertheless, clinicians administering infusion therapies require knowledge and skills to insert and mange vascular access devices, ability to prevent, recognize and manage vascular access and infusion therapy-related complications.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/BSI/04-bsi-background-info-2011.html
FiveRightsofMedicationAdministration.aspx
http://www.ins1.org

Firstly, I’d like to say welcome. My aim is to deliver some thought-focussed and robust evidence and information for clinicians working in the world of vascular access and infection prevention. This blog is for helping everyday clinicians in accessing current information to improve care to the patient that is evidence-based, but also incorporating through discussion, the knowledge and expertise from like-minded clinicians at improving and advancing the practices of vascular access… while maintaining the patient as the primary focus of our care.