Ten Tips for dressing and securement of IV device wounds

Posted by Claire Rickard, Amanda Ullman, Tricia Kleidon, Nicole Marsh on 13 June 2017
Ten Tips for dressing and securement of IV device wounds, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal 2017;24(10):32-34. Reprinted with permission of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation. Nurses insert and care for more than two billion intravascular (IV) devices globally each year. A wound is created for each IV insertion, and the wound cannot heal while the IV remains. Usually, millions of microorganisms live on our skin and cause no harm. However, insertion of an IV ...
Posted in:AVATARdressingsintravenous catheterIV managementsecurementvascular access devices  

A step-by-step guide to vascular access device audits

Posted by Gillian Ray-Barruel & Amanda Ullman on 8 June 2017
A step-by-step guide to vascular access device audits
Recent VA audits indicate that VA practice is not perfect, particularly in the areas of redundant devices, insertion site complications, substandard dressings, and poor documentation of site assessment (Alexandrou et al, 2015; McGuire, 2015; New et al, 2014; Russell et al, 2013; Ullman et al, 2017a). Conducting VA audits can provide evidence that best practice VA policies and procedures are being effectively implemented in the workplace. Less than ideal audit results can provide direct...
Posted in:AVATARcentral vascular access devicesdressingsintravenous catheterIV managementvascular access devices  

AVATAR educational video on PIVC insertion, maintenance and removal

Posted on 26 April 2017
Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are the most commonly used vascular access device in health care with around 65% of hospitalized patients receiving PIVC therapy during their stay. The insertion of a PIVC is the most commonly performed invasive procedure in hospitalized patients. However, failure rates of PIVCs are high at around 40% before the completion of treatment this impacts significantly on patients, staff and the healthcare system. Failure can be a consequence of occlusion,...
Posted in:AVATARdressingsflushinginfection preventionintravenous catheterIV managementsecurementvascular access devices  

Introductory Writing Workshop at AVAS, Perth

Posted by Gillian Ray-Barruel on 21 April 2017
 

2017 April AVATAR Newsletter

Posted by Rita Nemeth on 18 April 2017

The 2017 April AVATAR Newsletter is out. Please, click this link to read it.

You can have a look at our previous newsletters on the website at http://www.avatargroup.org.au/newsletters.html

Posted in:AVATAR  

Report from AVATAR state of the art in vascular access management seminar

Posted by Kaye Rolls on 7 April 2017
Report from AVATAR state of the art in vascular access management seminar
On March 6 just under 100 dedicated clinicians joined us for the inaugural AVATAR State of the Art in Vascular Access Management seminar, held at Rydges Parramatta.  They were a mixed bunch with vascular access clinicians being the largest group (32%), followed by critical care (18%), inpatient services (11%), cancer services (10%) and infection prevention (9%), with the balance made up of several other speciality groups. This eclectic mix made for great conversations as participa...
Posted in:AVATARcentral vascular access devicesdressingsintravenous catheterIV managementsecurementvascular access devices  

How to assess a peripheral intravenous (IV) cannula

Posted by Gillian Ray-Barruel on 5 April 2017
How to assess a peripheral intravenous (IV) cannula
Most patients need at least one peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) during their hospital stay for IV fluids and medications, blood products or nutrition. PIVC complications are common, but they can be prevented or minimised by routine assessment. This article discusses the key points of PIVC assessment. Is it needed? Does the patient need this PIVC? Many PIVCs are left in without orders for IV fluids or medications (Limm et al, 2013; New et al., 2014). Others are never used at ...
Posted in:AVATARdressingsinfection preventionintravenous catheterIV managementpatient experiencephlebitissecurementvascular access devices  

Scoping the evidence for CVADs

Posted by Mari Takashima on 3 April 2017
Scoping the evidence for CVADs
Central venous access devices (CVADs) provide access to the greater vascular system to administer therapy that is contraindicated to be given peripherally, for longer term treatment, and for venous monitoring and blood sampling. As clinicians, we come across these devices on a daily basis. We also see CVAD complications and failures, such as bloodstream infections, obstruction, thrombosis, catheter migrations, and others. Effective interventions can prevent many of these complications....
Posted in:AVATARIV managementvascular access devices  

Is it time for a protocol for long-term central venous access? A caregiver's perspective

Posted by Beth Gore on 31 March 2017
Is it time for a protocol for long-term central venous access? A caregiver's perspective
Note: This blog presents the personal opinion and experience of the author, and the practices described here are not an endorsement by the AVATAR Group.   Being the caregiver of a child with a central line is a full-time job. After 5 years, I have become more confident with my skills but the worry is still constant. And paralyzing fear is continually just below the surface. I attended a lecture where Jack LeDonne, MD said, "The average central line is in for 6 days.&q...
Posted in:infection preventionintravenous catheterIV managementpatient experiencevascular access devices  

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