…as in “Resources and References” in infusion therapy?  Ok, I know what you’re thinking… with the internet, who needs to have a home library of references and resources? One would just “google” any and all questions/references/resources.

Well, I may be one of the few left who still have reference books and resources in my office and at home.  Don’t get me wrong, I too use the internet, google and “google books” often to look up these resources / references but having the “real” book by your side is sometimes just what one would need to complete a research or a project.

Whether you are a seasoned infusion nurse, a nursing student, or an RN looking for resources and references related to infusion therapy, infusion nursing or vascular access, here are a few R & R’s I often use and would highly recommend.  Just for the purpose of disclosure,  I was involved in either the writing  of a chapter or the content review of some these books and resources. In addition, the list (not exhaustive) is in no particular order, preference or ranking,  not in APA style 🙂 and I am not providing a review.

• Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice 2006 (currently in revision) published by the Infusion Nurses Society
• Infusion Nursing: An Evidence-Based Approach 2009 Editors: Mary Alexander, Ann Corrigan, Lisa Gorski, Judy Hankins, Roxanne Perucca (Note: I am the author of the chapter on Biologic Therapy)
• Plummer’s Principles and Practices of Intravenous Therapy 8th 2007 by Sharon Weinstein
• Manual of IV Therapeutics: Evidence Based Practice for Infusion Therapy 5th Edition by Lynn Phillips (Note: I’m listed as a contributor)
• Pocket Guide to Home Infusion Therapy by Lisa Gorski
  
• Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice 3rd edition from the Oncology Nurses Society
• Policies and Procedures for Infusion Nursing published by the Infusion Nurses Society

There are several other resources such as journal articles, position papers and guidelines that are in electronic format available from regulatory, government agencies and specialty nursing organizations which I access often.

Yes,  while many things can be looked up on the internet, just don’t toss these “tree killers” into the recycle bin yet…instead keep them for as long as you can, they are after all “treasures of knowledge.”

Do you have any R&Rs you would recommend?