SACT Training: How Nurses Learn to Safely Administer IV Anticancer Therapy
Posted
on 26 February 2026
)
Study OverviewThis scoping review mapped how nurses are taught to administer intravenous systemic anticancer therapy (IV SACT) and where the evidence is strong or thin. From thousands of records screened, 20 studies (2010–2023) were included. Educational approaches ranged from classroom teaching and supervised clinical practice to simulation, virtual reality, and mobile apps. Four cross-cutting themes emerged: varied teaching methods, the benefit of interdisciplinary collaboration, uneven g...
New Podcast Feature: Dr Grace Xu on PIVCs in the Emergency Department
Posted
on 24 February 2026
)
We’re excited to share a valuable new podcast featuring Dr Grace (Hui) Xu on the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) Infusion Room podcast.In Season 2, Episode 5, titled “The Hidden Risks of Routine IV Insertion in the Emergency Department,” Dr Grace Xu discusses the critical role of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in emergency care, and why improving insertion practices, training, and patient involvement is so important for better outcomes. Dr Xu highlights the real-world chall...
PIVC Sizing: Catheter-to-Vein Ratio and Failure Risk
Posted
on 24 February 2026
)
Study Overview
This single-centre prospective cohort study examined how the catheter-to-vein ratio (CVR) relates to peripheral IV catheter (PIVC) failure. The authors highlight that a large share of PIVCs fail before treatment completion and that many failures stem from placing relatively large catheters into small-diameter peripheral veins—especially in the hand and wrist. Ultrasound assessment and careful vein/size matching were central themes in the study’s rationale.Key FindingsVein s...
This single-centre prospective cohort study examined how the catheter-to-vein ratio (CVR) relates to peripheral IV catheter (PIVC) failure. The authors highlight that a large share of PIVCs fail before treatment completion and that many failures stem from placing relatively large catheters into small-diameter peripheral veins—especially in the hand and wrist. Ultrasound assessment and careful vein/size matching were central themes in the study’s rationale.Key FindingsVein s...
PIVCs in Hospitalised Older People: What We Know
Posted
on 19 February 2026
)
Study Overview
This scoping review mapped the evidence on peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) use among hospitalised older adults (publications since 2000). Thirty sources from 12 countries were included across observational and experimental studies, education summaries, clinical guidelines, reviews, and other materials. The review highlights where evidence is strong, where it’s thin, and where future work should focus—especially on patient experience.Key FindingsEvidence skews observ...
This scoping review mapped the evidence on peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) use among hospitalised older adults (publications since 2000). Thirty sources from 12 countries were included across observational and experimental studies, education summaries, clinical guidelines, reviews, and other materials. The review highlights where evidence is strong, where it’s thin, and where future work should focus—especially on patient experience.Key FindingsEvidence skews observ...
Rethinking Skills Training: What Helps Student Nurses Master Venepuncture & PIVC
Posted
on 17 February 2026
)
Study OverviewFinal-year nursing students in Ireland described how they learn venepuncture and peripheral IV cannulation (PIVC) across simulation labs and real clinical placements. Three focus groups (8 students) were thematically analysed to surface what helps, what hinders, and what to fix next in curricula and ward practice.Key FindingsPractice builds confidence—both simulation and real-patient attempts matter; one simulated session isn’t enough.“Not how it’s done here”—student...
Flushing PIVCs: What We Know (and Don’t) from a Scoping Review
Posted
on 12 February 2026
)
Study OverviewThis guideline-oriented scoping review mapped current evidence on peripheral IV catheter (PIVC) flushing—covering techniques, volumes, frequencies, speeds, syringe types, and outcomes across 39 studies. It highlights wide variability in practice and limited high-quality clinical trials to define an “optimal” approach.Key FindingsPractice is inconsistent: Studies reported mixed or missing details on technique, speed, volume, and frequency; approaches differ across settings ...
Rethinking Paediatric CVAD Costs: What the Evidence Really Shows
Posted
on 10 February 2026
)
Study OverviewThis systematic review synthesised paediatric studies to quantify the financial burden of central venous access device (CVAD) complications and to examine how those costs are calculated. Infectious complications dominated both the literature and the spend, while reporting of costing methods was often incomplete—making cross-hospital comparisons difficult.Key FindingsInfectious complications are expensive: pooled mean ≈ USD $77,000 per event, with single-study estimates rangi...
Infection Risk with PIVCs: What Large-Scale Australian Data Shows
Posted
on 5 February 2026
)
Study OverviewThis meta-synthesis pooled infection outcomes from 18 prospective studies across seven Australian public hospitals, following 14,606 peripheral IV catheters (50,096 device-days) from insertion to removal. Researchers quantified local infection and bloodstream infection (BSI) using NHSN criteria and modelled day-by-day risk (hazard) over catheter dwell time.Key Findings- Very low but non-zero infection ratesLocal infection: 5/14,606 catheters (0.034%; 0.100 per 1,000 device-days)....
ED adherence to Australia’s PIVC Clinical Care Standard: what really gets in the way?
Posted
on 3 February 2026
)
Replace this text with your own text.Study OverviewDesign: Qualitative descriptive study using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW/COM-B)
Setting: Two metropolitan EDs in Queensland, interviews in 2023
Participants: 25 clinicians (RNs, CNs, SMOs, JMOs)
Aim: Identify barriers and facilitators to adhering to the 2021 PIVC Clinical Care Standard in EDs.What clinicians said (themes mapped to COM-B)Capability (knowledge/skills):Barriers: Low awareness of the Standard, limited structured PIVC educatio...
Setting: Two metropolitan EDs in Queensland, interviews in 2023
Participants: 25 clinicians (RNs, CNs, SMOs, JMOs)
Aim: Identify barriers and facilitators to adhering to the 2021 PIVC Clinical Care Standard in EDs.What clinicians said (themes mapped to COM-B)Capability (knowledge/skills):Barriers: Low awareness of the Standard, limited structured PIVC educatio...
Do policy and practice for PIVCs actually match Australia’s Clinical Care Standard?
Posted
on 28 January 2026
)
Study OverviewThis multi-site point prevalence study checked how well Queensland public hospitals follow the Australian Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard (2021). Data were collected across 134 acute wards in 21 hospitals (8 health services). Among 2,247 screened patients, 1,117 had a PIVC; 788 consented for detailed assessment. The team mapped 10 Quality Statements (QSs) using the Standard’s 13 structural (policy) and process (bedside practice) indicators...








