Another INS Annual Meeting done and dusted for 2016. Each year, I look forward to the exhibit hall hours and I consider it as one of the highlights of the Annual meeting. I am very grateful to all the vendors who were there and were always willing to educate us on their products. This helps us…
On a recent flight home, I had a very interesting conversation with the lady sitting next to me. This delightful woman happened to be a breast cancer patient currently on chemotherapy. When she found out I am an infusion nurse, she immediately showed me her “implanted port” , which is located on the inner aspect of…
MAGIC – stands for Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters. This guide (Table 2) was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, September 15, 2015. See reference below. Appropriate indications for PICC use 1. Delivery of peripherally compatible infusates when the proposed duration of such use is ≥6 d* 2. Delivery of non–peripherally compatible infusates (e.g.,…
NOT able to obtain a blood return from CVAD? This might indicate a problem. If the tip of the CVAD is in the lower third of the superior vena cava at the junction of the SVC and RA, then you should get a blood return. If you can’t get a positive blood return, do not…
In case we have forgotten: pH – expression of acidity and refers to the amount of hydrogen ion concentration. The alkalinity or acidity of a solution depends on the degree of hydrogen ion concentration. An increase in the hydrogen ions results in a more acid solution, while a decrease results in a more alkaline solution.…
….as in positive blood return when aspirating from central venous catheters (CVC). Positive blood return means a free flowing blood return easily obtained on aspiration, and the color of whole blood. In other words, bloody RED, not pink-tinged. What a great feeling, knowing that the CVC is properly functioning and ready to use. NOT able to…
This is an updated version of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) hazardous drugs list. So what’s new in this current update? The text for the update to the 2014 list was updated and expanded to reflect the complexity of safe handling issues that have arisen over the past few years. This…
I know, this may come as a surprise to all of you, but the truth is, I have seen many nurses (even those highly trained and specialized) both in hospitals and outpatient settings, use the same alcohol swab over and over. Imagine this scenario where a nurse is ready to withdraw medication from several vials.…
At every INS Annual Meeting, the exhibit hall is the one of the highlights of the week. I am very grateful to all the vendors who were there whether they had something new to show or not because their products contribute greatly to patient care and safety. Their willingness to educate nurses is always appreciated.…
Q: A twitter colleague posted: Can you give blood through an IO? A: IO as in intraosseous access. An old concept that is now getting more attention as an alternate access for infusion therapy in emergent and non-emergent situations. IO access uses the intraosseous space that contains thousands of non-collapsible intertwined blood vessels that absorbs any fluids.…
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