Learning Center

Morning Coffee Chat

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Overview

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Join INS for a morning coffee chat and interact directly with other infusion professionals and INS leadership! You don’t need to drink coffee to join; share your morning beverage of choice with the group! This will be an open forum for attendees to talk about nursing experiences, current events, or just share fun stories.

Peripheral Vascular Catheter Related Infection: Incidence and Impact

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Overview

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Peripheral vascular catheters, frequently referred to as peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters, are commonly used in health care. Often, PIVs are inserted upon admission as a matter of course, in case the patient needs intravenous therapy at a later point. However, PIVs can expose patients to a significant risk of infection—one that is underreported, under-recognized, and often ignored. Tracing infections back to the PIV can be difficult, because health care workers tend to overestimate their safety. Increased awareness of PIV catheter-related infections, coupled with routine active surveillance and follow-up reporting, can help reduce the risk. This session will highlight the incidence and severity of PIV infection as well as mitigation strategies.

Speaker

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James Davis, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, HEM, CIC, FAPIC

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Air Embolism-Cerebral Ischemic Event Related to Vascular Access Devices

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More than 5 million central vascular access devices (VADs) are inserted in patients in the United States annually. Air embolism can occur from central vascular access device insertion, tubing or cap changes, accidental disconnection, catheter removal, and/or infusion of air. Air embolism occurs when air is transported to the pulmonary artery, hindering gas exchange, and resulting in cardiovascular or neurovascular collapse. This presentation will describe the causes of air embolism to the cerebral area and discuss prevention and treatment strategies related to VADs.

Speaker

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Ann Plohal, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CRNI®, VA-BC
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Laboratory Screening and Monitoring for Patients with Immunosuppressive DMARD Treatment

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Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a class of drugs indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders such as scleroderma, vasculitis, spondyloarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and some types of cancers. Patients who are treated with DMARDs are at risk for developing potentially life-threatening complications, such as serious infections, cardiovascular issues, liver or hematological toxicity, or the reactivation of latent tuberculosis or hepatitis. This session will discuss recommendations to reduce risks by pre-screening patients with baseline laboratory testing prior to the initiation of a DMARD medication and monitoring throughout the course of therapy.

Speaker

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Monica Richey, MSN, ANP-bc/GNP, BSN
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Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances: A Clinical Refresher

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The ubiquitous nature of fluid and electrolyte imbalances across most all practice settings necessitates regular review of the basics of renal, endocrine, and respiratory regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. The infusion nurse has a unique role in baseline assessment of fluid and electrolyte status (and associated illness) with subsequent provision of prescribed therapies affecting the balance. This presentation will review basic physiology as it relates to fluid and electrolyte management, common presentations of fluid and electrolyte imbalances, as well as basic and emergent treatment considerations.

Speaker

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Abigail Zuehlke, BSN, CRNI®
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Parenteral Nutrition in the Postoperative Bariatric Patient

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According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, obesity is considered a chronic, progressive disease resulting from multiple environmental and genetic factors. It is associated with serious health risks such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even some forms of cancer— all which may lead to preventable, premature death. Bariatric surgery is one of the methods used to treat obesity and its associated comorbidities. While the safety of bariatric surgery has increased significantly, there are complications associated with these procedures that may necessitate the use of parenteral nutrition. This session will provide an overview of bariatric surgical options and potential associated complications.

Speaker

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Marielle Austen, RD, LDN
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How to Initiate End-of-Life Discussions With Your Patients

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Conversations about end-of-life care are interactions that often occur when patients are most vulnerable. Yet many infusion nurses are ill-prepared to engage in these difficult discussions, fearing they will cause patient and family distress. As patients are educated about end-of-life care choices, evidence shows their anxiety decreases when they are able to align their end-of-life care around their beliefs and values. This presentation will provide an overview of how nurses can initiate these difficult conversations and incorporate patient and family goals of care.

Speaker

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Sean Reed, PhD, APN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN
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One Unit of Blood, Many Components

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Human blood is a complex and specialized body fluid responsible for the transportation of oxygen to the tissues and organs, formation of clots, prevention of infection, removal of waste, and regulation of body temperature. A unit of whole blood collected from a single donor can be broken down into red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate. Plasma can then be further broken down into volume expanders, coagulation factor concentrates, and immune globulins. Because of the complexity of blood, several safeguards must be in place to ensure blood is safe for transfusion. ABO typing, Rh typing, and cross matching are critical in the preparation for safe administration of blood products. This session will provide an overview of blood transfusion, proper preparation of donor blood, and other related safe transfusion practice.

Speaker

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Julie DeLisle, BSN, MSN, RN
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When Disaster Strikes: Avoid Crisis With Emergency Preparedness

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Overview

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Disasters can strike at any time from natural and man-made situations. Proper emergency preparedness can limit the impact of a disaster on patients and clinical team members. Understanding the components of an effective contingency plan and available resources can help clinicians successfully manage operations during a crisis situation. This interactive session will assess recent disaster scenarios, review successes and failures of organizations’ responses, and discuss steps to develop and implement an effective emergency preparedness plan.

Speaker

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Brenda Gray, PharmD, VA-BC, BCNSP, CNSC