A recent study dives into the intricacies of peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter care and how nursing culture influences adherence to best practices. Led by a team of healthcare professionals this research sheds light on crucial factors shaping nurses' practices in this critical area. Methodology: Between March 2021 and March 2022, the study used the Peripheral Intravenous Catheter mini questionnaire (PIVC-miniQ) across 41 wards in a Norwegian tertiary hospital, assessing 566 catheters...

Highlights from WoCoVA 2024 in Prague
Our team had an incredible experience sharing groundbreaking research and engaging in vibrant discussions.

Launch of Australia’s First DIVA Micro-Credential
A/Prof Evan Alexandrou and the University of Wollongong launched a successful micro-credential course on difficult venous access (DIVA).

Recognitions and Awards
Congratulations to our members for their outstanding achievements:

- Dr. Amanda Corley: Best Nursing Free Paper at ANZICS/ACCCN ASM 20...

Hospitals are constantly innovating, introducing new medical devices to enhance patient care. However, the process of clinicians adapting to these innovations, especially in vascular access devices, is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of healthcare. A recent study delved into clinicians' experiences with a new guidewire peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) introduced in the emergency department (ED) setting, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in device adoption. St...

Introduction
In the pursuit of enhancing patient safety and clinical decision-making, the I-DECIDED® tool has been translated and adapted to the Portuguese and Brazilian context. This blog post summarizes the meticulous process and promising outcomes of this significant methodological research. Methodology
The research followed Beaton’s framework for translation and cross-cultural adaptation, which includes five stages: Initial translation
Synthesis of translations
Back-translatio...

Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control invites researchers and healthcare professionals to submit their work to our latest collection on Safe Intravascular Catheters: Finding and Preventing Bloodstream Infections. Intravascular catheters are critical to modern healthcare, yet their use carries a significant risk of bloodstream infections. This collection aims to compile comprehensive research and insights on ensuring the safe use of these essential devices. Your contributions are v...

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are indispensable in healthcare, but they also present a spectrum of potential complications. With the rapid influx of securement and dressing products over the past decade, assessing their overall effectiveness in preventing these complications has become paramount. A recent systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of various dressings and securement devices for CVCs, shedding light on critical considerations for clinicians. Study Ove...

Children with chronic and complex health conditions often rely on intravenous devices for their medical needs. However, the current approach to device selection, insertion, and monitoring can be inconsistent, leading to challenges for both healthcare providers and families. Recognizing the need for a more streamlined and patient-centric solution, a team of healthcare professionals embarked on a journey to co-create and evaluate a groundbreaking mobile health (mHealth) application: IV Passport...

Arterial catheters (ACs) are vital tools for monitoring hemodynamics and blood sampling in intensive care units (ICUs). However, they are also prone to complications. A recent secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized controlled trial delved into the incidence, risk factors, and types of AC failures, shedding light on critical aspects of ICU patient care. Study Overview The study analyzed data from 664 adult ICU patients with ACs, focusing on all-cause device failure as the primary ou...

Central venous access devices (CVADs) are lifelines in healthcare, especially in pediatric cancer care. However, concerns persist about the high incidence of CVAD occlusions disrupting treatments. A recent qualitative study delved into the decision-making and problem-solving processes surrounding CVAD occlusion management in this critical setting. Study Overview Researchers conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 13 clinicians and 5 parents at a tertiary-referral pediatric faci...

Introduction As the global incidence of cancer continues to rise, the need for effective intravenous therapy and diagnostics in cancer patients becomes increasingly significant. Vascular access devices (VADs) play a crucial role in delivering systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), but the choice of VAD type and its impact on patient outcomes remain areas of exploration. Objective Our objective was to conduct a comprehensive scoping review to understand the landscape of VAD usage in deliverin...