
Learning Center
Pain Management & Implanted Vascular Access Ports
For most patients, attention to pain management is a critically important intervention. However, the need to address pain concerns often remains under-appreciated by clinicians. Current evidence provides interventions that include local anesthesia and non-pharmacologic strategies.
Use, care, and management questions regarding implanted vascular access ports abound. In this session, we will discuss changes to the Standards that address vascular access pain management and implanted vascular access ports.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the importance of addressing pain management for patients who require vascular access procedures.
2. Differentiate between INS Practice Recommendations for pain management strategies.
3. Examine INS Practice Recommendations related to the care and management of implanted vascular access ports.

Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN
Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN, has worked for more than 35 years as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and educator for Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice, which is now Ascension at Home. As a CNS, she developed a home infusion therapy program in collaboration with the pharmacy and continues to provide infusion-related education for home care nurses as well as direct patient care. Ms Gorski received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. She is the author of several books and more than 7 book chapters and journal articles. She is an INS past president (2007-2008), past Chair of the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC) Board of Directors and has served as the chair of the INS Standards of Practice Committee for the 2011, 2016, and 2021 editions and Co-Chair for the 2024 Standards. Ms Gorski was also the Chair for the 2017 and 2024 INS Vesicant Task Force. She was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2006, named the CRNI® of the year by INCC, and named 2011 CNS of the Year by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Ms Gorski speaks nationally and internationally on standards development, infusion therapy/vascular access, and home health care. Over the years, she has addressed the Standards in multiple presentations in the US, China, Europe, and Middle Eastern African and Latin American countries.

Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®
Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CCRN, CRNI®, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at a health care center in Nebraska. She is responsible for staff development, competency assessment, 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 was a co-author of the 2021 Infusion Nurses Society Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, was Chair of the 2024 9th edition of the INS Standards of Practice Committee and is chair of the 2027 INS Standards Committee. She has authored several publications and speaks nationally on optimization of infusion therapy outcomes. She also serves as Adjunct Research Fellow for Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
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