We are often asked if it's okay to take blood samples from a peripheral intravenous catheter (aka PIVC, cannula). In Australia, each state has a different policy, however, most allow blood draws on insertion of the cannula. The Infusion Nurses Society Standards of Practice 8th edition (2021, page S129) has the following recommendations, based on evidence: "Risks associated with sampling from a PIVC include hemolysis of the sample, contamination of the sample from infusing...

In my 19 years as a Safe Medication Practice Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC), I have seen many examples of avoidable medication harm to patients. Despite education and procedures to support best practice, staff compliance and organizational culture issues continue to perpetuate the cycle of unintended patient harm due to medication errors. The Medication Administration Evaluation and Feedback Tool (MAEFT) is a validated 22 criteria best practice checklist. Nurses use the MAEFT to self-asses...

ESPEN, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, has released new guidelines for Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN). The guidelines are freely available by following the link below. Summary This guideline will inform physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, caregivers and other home parenteral nutrition (HPN) providers, as well as healthcare administrators and policy makers, about appropriate and safe HPN provision. This guideline will also inform patients requiring HPN....

The AVAS mission is to: “Promote and improve patient safety and clinical outcomes; develop a standard of excellence in the field of vascular access; promote the development in national standards of practice; provide professional development and quality education; develop and share best practices; and promote ongoing vascular access research."  We invite clinicians, vascular access specialists, educators, researchers, and industry partners to join today.     &n...

 

The Infection Control Matters podcast series is well worth a listen, for vascular access and beyond. Check it out! The team discusses new research and issues on the topic of infection prevention and control. It's chatty and informative, with interviews with doctors, nurses, clinicians, academics and administrators.  "Professor Brett Mitchell (from the University of Newcastle Australia), Associate Professor Deborah Friedman (Barwon Health), Martin Kiernan (University of West Lo...

Preventing adverse events during paediatric cancer treatment: A multi-site hybrid randomised controlled trial of catheter lock solutions. Project opportunity This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance. One of the first procedures a child undergoes when being treated for cancer is the insertion of a central v...