A Griffith University student group took on the challenge to work with us to create an interactive web-based application that would be useful and relevant to anyone interested in vascular access devices (VAD). This app called 'Did You Know?' formed part of the students' assessment and we are delighted with the results. Check it out here! 'Did You Know?' includes three core features. 1.  Device Types Here you can visualise the 5 common types of VAD, ...

This is a research project to gain knowledge and understanding of accidental intravenous (IV) catheter or tubing dislodgement, the frequency, the perception of safety and level of risk to the patient. To lay the foundation for this research, we are surveying clinicians to identify current practice and perceptions. This survey is designed to assess opinions of practicing clinicians, all others will be excluded. Your participation in this validated survey will take approximately 5 minute...

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 ...

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...

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,...

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...

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 ...