Episode 72: March 3, 2021 - Vascular Access Device Complications

Clinical expert Barb Nickel talks about the role of the nurse in preventing vascular access device complications through monitoring, assessment and timely intervention.  

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI® is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at a large health care system in the United States, responsible for staff development and process improvement to optimize outcomes in multiple areas of clinical practice, including critical care, infusion therapy, sepsis, and new graduate transition to practice. Ms Nickel has presented nationally and published in several peer-reviewed journals on infusion-related topics. She was the chair of the 2024 INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice Committee and is the current chair of the 2027 SOP Committee. She also serves as Adjunct Research Fellow for Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.

Host: Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI® – INS Clinical Education & Publications Manager

Guest: Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®

Abstract: Nurses must be competent to recognize signs and symptoms of vascular access device (VAD)-related complications at any juncture in the life of the device and be prepared to intervene during insertion, management, and removal. All vascular access devices are subject to complications that may cause patient harm, impair patients’ quality of life, or increase morbidity and mortality. Listen as Barb Nickel explains several VAD complications and discusses the role of the nurse in assessment and intervention. 

Resources:

  • Gorski LA, Hadaway L, Hagle ME, et al. Infusion therapy standards of practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021;44(suppl 1):S1-S224. doi:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000396
  • Ray-Barruel G, Xu H, Marsh N, Cooke M, Rickard CM. Effectiveness of insertion and maintenance bundles in preventing peripheral intravenous catheter-related complications and bloodstream infection in hospital patients: a systematic review. Infect Dis Health. 2019;24(3):152-168. doi:10.1016/j.idh.2019.03.001
  • Helm RE, Klausner JD, Klemperer JD, Flint LM, Huang E. Accepted but unacceptable: peripheral iv catheter failure. J Infus Nurs. 2015;38(3):189-203. doi:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000100
  • Nickel B. Hiding in plain sight: the burden of peripheral intravenous catheter infections. Crit Care Nurse. 2020;40(5):57-66. doi:10.4037/ccn2020439
  • Nickel B. Peripheral intravenous administration of high-risk infusions in critical care: a risk-benefit analysis. Crit Care Nurse. 2019;39(6):16-28. doi:10.4037/ccn2019443
  • Berndt, D. & Steinheiser, M. (2019b). Central vascular access device complications: The nurse's role at each point of care. American Nurse Today,14(10), 6-13. www.myamericannurse.com Berndt, D. & Steinheiser, M. (2019a). Short peripheral and midline catheter complications: The nurse's role at each point of care. American Nurse Today,14(9), 5-10. www.myamericannurse.com

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