How do you make it through one of the most intense degrees of your life whilst juggling family, friends and work? For me it was sheer stubbornness, but we asked some trusted colleagues who have recently completed their higher degree research training or are in the midst of completing.   Reflections from Grace, Nancy and Evan   For you, Take time out to do other hobbies and completely forget about your project even for a day a week Help family understand there will b...

Proper VAD securement saves time, money, resources, and patient veins. It also helps prevent phlebitis and bloodstream infection. This is a webinar developed by 3M and Dr Nicole Marsh to highlight many of the key considerations surrounding vascular access device management during Covid-19. You are welcome to share with your staff, if this is useful. https://mmm.bravais.com/s/a9Xs7NL8TEyBl629slx5 ...

VASCULAR ACCESS, October edition of the peer-reviewed multidisciplinary official journal of the Australian Vascular Access Society (AVAS) is now available. To access this journal, you must be a member of AVAS.

Becoming a member is simple. Apply today!

Have you ever wondered what's best practice for maintaining IV patency? This video reveals the science behind the practice. We've updated our FAQ to help you deliver the best care when your patient needs to keep the vein open (kvo) via slow continuous infusion or intermittent flushing. To find out more about slow continous infusion (kvo), click here. To find out more about intermittent flushing, click here.   ...

Thinking of undertaking research studies, we asked 3 experienced supervisors what they wish their students knew: By Dr Gillian Ray-Barruel:  A PhD is about the learning process, not just the finished product. Be an active student member of your university community. Networking is invaluable for your career and you'll make some interesting new friends. Go to all the free HDR student education sessions offered by your university. You may/may not learn something useful a...

Clinical decision making for safety: Managing vascular access devices during the pandemic and beyond. This is a webinar developed by 3M and Gillian Ray-Barruel to highlight many of the key considerations surrounding vascular access device management during Covid-19. You are welcome to share with your staff, if this is useful. Link: https://mmm.bravais.com/s/FHDZv0LFQ2xTgVOWm57W   ...

Subcutaneous infusions: a safe, effective, and acceptable alternative vascular access route Venous depletion and the physical and psychological trauma of peripheral venipuncture are a growing concern. Is there a safe, effective and perhaps easy alternative? We now have strong evidence to add subcutaneous access as an appropriate route for subcutaneous hydration infusions for older adults and some evidence for pediatric and perhaps palliative patients for management of mild to moderate d...

Clinically indicated removal has long been the norm in pediatrics and an unofficial policy in difficult-to-cannulate adults to avoid multiple, painful insertion attempts. Now that evidence strongly supports clinically indicated peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) removal for all patients, implementation requires a focused effort, which can be achieved through planned processes using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework. Specific considerations incl...

Improving practices to prevent and manage CVAD occlusion, by Associate Professor Amanda Ullman   What do you think is the most common CVAD dysfunction in healthcare? Reading journal articles you'll see most researchers and clinicians focussing on bloodstream infection and thrombosis. But - catheter occlusion, or blockage, is 5 times more common than both of these complications. CVADs are essentially long, narrow tubes, through which we frequently administer viscous fluids, ...