
Learning Center
Vascular Access Device Complications
Selection of the best vascular access option for an individual patient is based in part on the risk of complications present in their vascular health and their particular infusion needs. Every vascular access device carries some risk to patient safety. To better understand and mitigate those risks, there has been a dramatic increase in vascular access-related research. This session will review four catheter-associated complications included in the 2021 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice: venous thrombosis, extravasation, bloodstream infection, and skin injury. For each of these complications, presenters will give a concise review of the incidence, assessment parameters, new evidence-based recommendations, and directions for future research.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe at least one assessment parameter that may indicate each of the four complications reviewed.
2. Identify at least one new evidence-based recommendation for each of the four complications reviewed.

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.
Key:




