Episode 20: March 7, 2018 - Air and Catheter Embolisms

Our series continues with a look at two complications that while, infrequent, can have devastating consequences. Signs and symptoms can be nonspecific, but early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial to decrease the chances of harm to the patient. 

Mark R. Hunter, MS, BScN RN, CRNI®, VA-BC

Mark R. Hunter, MS, BScN RN, CRNI®, VA-BC, is an associate director of medical affairs working in the area of Medical Devices Development, Risk Management, Patient Safety, Off-Label Requests, and Regulatory Agency communications for the Vascular Access business for BD. 

Mr Hunter began his corporate nursing career at Baxter in 2007 and has had the opportunity to help drive the launch of multiple new products from electronic infusion pumps to infusion disposables. He has held roles in both Marketing and Medical Affairs, providing a well-rounded background in new product development to global market launches.

Mr Hunter has been a registered nurse for 31 years specializing in the fields of critical care and infusion nursing, both nationally and internationally, prior to joining industry. He recently completed his master’s in science in patient safety and leadership. He holds national certifications in infusion nursing and vascular access. Mr Hunter is an active member of both the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) and the Association for Vascular Access (AVA), where he has contributed in various roles from the development of the INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, annual conference programs to certification exam development, and editorial review board for multiple journals. His publications have focused on complication prevention and quality improvements in the delivery of infusion therapy.

Guest:
Mark Hunter, BSN, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC
Medical Affairs Manager, BD

Knowing how to treat infusion therapy-related complications means recognizing the signs and symptoms. Identifying the problem as early as possible will significantly impact positive patient outcomes. Treating the sequelae of unrecognized complications can be costly, result in poor outcomes, and decrease patient satisfaction.

Our series continues with a look at two complications that while, infrequent, can have devastating consequences. Signs and symptoms can be nonspecific, but early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial to decrease the chances of harm to the patient. 

References:
Alexander M, Corrigan A, Gorski L, Phillips L.  
Core Curriculum for Infusion Nursing. 4th ed. Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2014

Brenda L Natal, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD. Venous Air Embolism Dec 2017 https://emedicine.medscape.com...
 
Robert Wilkins, Martin Unverdorben. Accidental intravenous infusion of air, JIN 2012 pg 404-408. DOI: 10.1097/NAN.0b013e31827079fe 

Complications of Peripheral Venous Access Devices: Prevention, Detection, and Recovery Strategies Crit Care Nurse April 1, 2017 37:e1-e14 
http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/co...

Something’s Missing: Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Fracture
doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2013.06.130097 J Am Board Fam Med November-December 2013 vol. 26 no. 6 805-806
http://www.jabfm.org/content/2...

Fibel, Kenton H., et al. “Pressurized Intravenous Fluid Administration in the Professional Football Player.” Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, vol. 25, no. 4, 2015, doi:10.1097/jsm.0000000000000150.

Macklin, D. (1999). What’s physics got to do with it. a review of the physical prinicples of fluid administration. Journal of Vascular Access Devices, 7-11.

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