A second look at Midline catheters

Midline catheters have been around since the 1950’s and with the increasing popularity of other venous access like PICCs, many have forgotten about this viable option for venous access. So let’s take a second look… A midline catheter is approximately 3-8 inches long and is inserted in the antecubital area and advanced into the peripheral…

I got a blood return…but

…it burns when you flush my port! In case you missed it… “The Case of the Painful Port”  a very interesting article published by ONS Connect and  shared by a twitter colleague @ONSmark.  Read article here… This case is a very good reminder for us nurses to stop and listen to what our patients are…

My IV infiltrated….

and I am wondering if what seeped into my arm will yield any medicinal benefit or if it’s like not getting anything at all? This was a question posted by a reader of this blog. Thanks for posting this interesting question.  While I could have readily given an answer based on my experience, I wanted…

Welcome 2012…

2011 went by so fast and just like most of you, I can’t believe it’s already 2012. 2011 was a good year f0r me professionally and an equally good year for this blog as well. Through this blog, I have met so many wonderful individuals,  learned so much from them, and very grateful for their…

IV medication errors…

A twitter nurse colleague (@chemosabe) shared an interesting article recently: Errors in the administration of intravenous medications in hospital and the role of correct procedures and nurse experience     Johanna I Westbrook, Marilyn I Rob, Amanda Woods, Dave Parry BMJ Qual Saf 2011;20:1027-1034 Published Online First: 20 June 2011 The objective of the study was to…

Just something to think about…

This maybe old news to some…but others may have missed it… Infiltration: Checking for blood return or back flow of blood is good for patency but not a reliable method for assessing infiltration at IV site. If infusion continues to run when you apply digital pressure 3 inches above peripheral IV site in front of…

In case you missed it….

…some latest news and initiatives on infection prevention and safety….. “Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients” – CDC is launching a new program called Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients, featuring tools to help both clinicians and patients prevent infections. CDC worked with partners to develop a Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings, which…

Guaranteed it works, if not, get $100,000..

We’ve all heard it before…in healthcare, anything can happen, hence there is no guarantee. Well, that is until the press release for a new needlefree catheter patency device called “Neutron” came out on Oct. 4, 2011. Click here for the press release. Neutron, according to its manufacturer ICU Medical,  is the world’s first and only…

Class I Recall: Synchromed Implantable Infusion Pumps

A Class I recall has been issued for the SynchroMed II Implantable Infusion Pump, models 8637-20 and 8637-40, distributed between May 2004 and July 8, 2011 manufactured by Medtronics Inc.  The SynchroMed II Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of the drugs or fluids. This infusion pump is indicated to deliver…

Two-wah……

Time flies when you’re having fun!!! This week, the Infusion Nurse Blog is celebrating its two year blog anniversary!!! *throws confetti* As I said before and again this year, sometimes I still feel like I don’t have anything interesting to blog about. But I am very encouraged, grateful and honored because you have continued to…