Learning Center

Within the last two decades we have experienced an explosion of new technologies, equipment and supplies designed to improve outcomes and successful insertions with intravenous and intraarterial devices. Visualization technologies have opened our eyes and expanded our ability to truly “see” inside a patient’s arm to identify veins and arteries most appropriate for placement of a catheter. Through education and experience, inserters have become more and more adept at placing catheters on the first attempt reinforcing the principles of vessel health and preservation. This presentation will highlight current visualization options for vein assessment and needle guided insertions, while comparing the features and applications of each. Integration of these types of technologies forms a component within the framework of the vessel health and preservation model and quadrants that promote greater patient safety.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

1. Facilitate understanding of visualization options for vein assessment and needle guided insertions
2. Compare characteristics and applications for each type of vein visualization
3. Apply principles of vessel health and preservation to use of visualization technology

Nancy Moureau, PhD, RN, CRNI®, CPUI™, VA-BC

Patients receiving an appropriate vascular access device (VAD) prefer one successful procedural attempt. Clinicians inserting these devices also desire this concept known as first time insertion success (FTIS). FTIS can minimize anatomical venous damage and reduce intra and post procedural complications. Initiating strategies to improve FTIS can have an impact on value-based healthcare provision and contribute to positive patient experiences. Clinicians performing VAD procedures with greater procedural volume, experience and specialist training are associated with increased FTIS. With multidisciplinary colleagues, infusion nurses contribute to clinical procedural success and better patient outcomes. Additionally, they act as specialist knowledge brokers translating new educational approaches to improve and maintain FTIS. This presentation will highlight risk factors and phenomenon that compromise first attempt VAD success while proposing strategies to improve vascular access first time insertion success.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, learners will be able to:

1. Understand what is meant by the term first attempt success.
2. Identify the key components of first attempt success process.
3. Describe the quality of evidence for first attempt success.
4. Identify how a first attempt process can occur.
5. Describe educational strategies to promote first attempt success concept.

Peter J. Carr, PhD, MMedSc, BSc, RN

With the more than 300 million peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) placed each year in the USA, the number of attempts, short duration of dwell, supplies, and complications associated with PIVCs have a huge impact on cost, patient safety and clinician time. Research is leading the way with evidence to support specific practices that safely extend dwell time, in keeping with clinically indicated catheter removal policies. This presentation will outline evidence-based practices that result in the best outcomes for PIVCs while applying the principles of vessel health and preservation. Increasing clinician awareness of recommendations and research on PIVC insertion practices, application of technologies with proven outcomes, and the cost associated with failure of initial attempts and catheters due to complications can all work together to improve safety for patients receiving necessary intravenous therapy treatment plans.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify evidence-based practices that promote longer dwell time of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs)
2. Evaluate research reflecting the best outcomes with PIVCs
3. Analyze impact on cost with longer dwell time and improved outcomes
4. Apply principles of vessel health and preservation to PIVC placement practices that result in the best outcomes

Nancy Moureau, PhD, RN, CRNI®, CPUI™, VA-BC

Blood sampling is an essential procedure in health care allowing laboratories to supply providers with 70 percent of the objective information they receive to diagnose, medicate and manage their patients. However, finding peripheral veins and withdrawing diagnostic blood samples suitable for testing is fraught with peril. This presentation will focus on techniques and technologies that assist in finding suitable veins and collecting blood samples that are less likely to be rejected by the laboratory because of hemolysis or other factors that render them unsuitable for testing. Emphasis will be placed on vein visualization devices and technologies that improve the quality of samples drawn during vascular access device (VAD) placements, from existing VADs and by dedicated venipuncture.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
1. Identify the three main categories of devices used to assist in vein location;
2. List the most commonly committed blood collection errors that risk sample rejection and threaten the accuracy to laboratory test results;
3. Discuss techniques that prevent hemolysis and sample rejection;
4. Implement strategies and technologies that improve sample quality.

Dennis J. Ernst, MT (ASCP), NCPT (NCCT)

Successful peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is dependent on understanding and mastering the fundamental steps associated with this skill. PIVC insertion essentials include infection prevention, vascular access device planning, site selection, vascular visualization, pain management for vascular access procedures, vascular access site preparation and skin antisepsis, PIVC insertion, securement, and dressing. During this session, we will discuss PIVC insertion essentials with clinical experts.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
1. Describe each practice essential of PIVC insertion and
2. Relate the significance of adhering to established standards of practice.

Dennis J. Ernst, MT (ASCP), NCPT (NCCT)

Nancy Moureau, PhD, RN, CRNI®, CPUI™, VA-BC

Peter J. Carr, PhD, MMedSc, BSc, RN

Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI®

Marlene M. Steinheiser, PhD, RN, CRNI®