Learning Center

The Infusion Nurses Society Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice have provided evidence-based guidance to promote optimal patient outcomes for decades. Due to the growing body of evidence to support infusion therapy practice, the INS Standards transitioned from a 5-year cycle to a 3-year cycle and improved the methodology of this review. The 9th edition of the Standards includes hundreds of references in support of the 66 independent yet coordinated Standards. This presentation will describe the scope and methodology of Standards revisions and the process used to evaluate the evidence supporting a specific Standard, and will then demonstrate the use of the Standards to inform two areas of clinical practice: vascular access device (VAD) removal based on clinical indication and VAD site protection.

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

• Describe the scope and methodology used to revise the INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice.
• Describe the process for evidence and content review and revision of a selected Standard.
• Demonstrate application of the Standards to inform selected clinical practice questions.

Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI®

Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®

Patient safety is a fundamental concept covered throughout the 2024 edition of the INS Standards. This session will specifically focus on key points regarding safety in vascular access device-related infection, phlebitis, and pain management for venipuncture and vascular access procedures as well as briefly discuss standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT®).  In this session, the speakers will introduce and provide an overview of these Standards with a focus on the practice recommendations.

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

• Describe strategies designed to reduce the transmission of infectious agents between health care workers, patients, and the environment. 
• Describe recommendations to reduce the risk for phlebitis.  
• Summarize recommendations for assessing and addressing pain management in adult as well as pediatric populations.    

Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN

Michelle DeVries, MPH, CIC, VA-BC, CPHQ, FAPIC

Three new Standards were added to the 2024 edition of the INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice: Drug Diversion in Infusion Therapy, Vasopressor Administration, and Home Infusion Therapy. The literature supporting the addition of these new Standards include increased reports of drug diversion and the need to employ practices to reduce this risk, an increase in peripheral vasopressor infusions, and the significant growth in home infusion therapy. In this session, the speakers will introduce and provide an overview of the new Standards with a focus on the practice recommendations.

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

• Describe strategies designed to prevent and/or detect drug diversion in infusion therapy.
• Describe recommendations for safe administration of vasopressors when considering vascular access device planning and reducing the risk for infusion-related complications.
• Summarize recommendations for safe practice when planning and providing home infusion therapy.

Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®

The INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice provides important guidance on the maintenance of vascular access devices (VADs) to promote optimal VAD function. Once the VAD is placed, evidence-based strategies assist in safe and accurate delivery of infusates and prevention of complications such as phlebitis, catheter dislodgement, occlusion, and catheter-related bloodstream infection. This session will provide an overview of four important Standards addressing VAD management: VAD and arterial catheter securement, flushing and locking, needleless connectors, and administration of medications and solutions.

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

• Describe evidence-based strategies for arterial catheter, peripheral, and central VAD securement.
• Discuss flushing and locking techniques to promote patency and reduce infection risk.
• Describe the current evidence guiding management of needleless connectors.
• Identify strategies to provide accurate dose delivery of infusion medications and solutions.

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®

Tricia Kleidon, MNSc, RN, BNSc

Samantha Keogh, PhD, BSc(hon), RN, FACN, IC Cert

The INS 2024 Standards guide infusion therapy practice and apply to all clinicians, in all practice settings, and for all patient populations worldwide. In the other sessions, we learned from the Standards committee members about new evidence as well as about the revised and new Standards in this edition. How do we implement and innovate this new evidence? How do we advance our knowledge, skills, and competency within our scope of practice? In this session, the audience will have the opportunity to ask our panel of experts their clinical practice questions. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to: 
• Describe methods of INS Standards implementation.
• Define scope of practice and clinical competency. 
• Discuss use of the Standards to inform clinical practice questions.

Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI®

Michelle DeVries, MPH, CIC, VA-BC, CPHQ, FAPIC

Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN

Samantha Keogh, PhD, BSc(hon), RN, FACN, IC Cert

Tricia Kleidon, MNSc, RN, BNSc

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®