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, ...

Join us for this 3M Health Care Academy Asia Pacific 1-hour webinar, Friday 28 August 2020, 4pm AEST: Register here ...

Expert
perito l  jártas
Adjective or Noun: 'having or involving a great deal of knowledge or skill in a particular area'   What is the course?

For the postgraduate student, vascular access clinician, or industry professional wanting to beef up their knowledge of vascular access, the Griffith University Vascular Access Devices And Intravenous Therapy: Transforming Evidence course could be the next best step in your career.
The course content has been d...

Needleless connectors are commonly used with continuous infusions, but is this best practice? Back in the not-so-good ol' days when we knew less about bloodstream infections, we'd quickly wipe the rubber cap with an alcohol wipe before connecting a needle to the secondary line and inserting this into the primary line via the rubber cap. We then applied paper tape to keep it in place for the duration of the medication administration. Needlestick injuries were common! Needleless conne...