There is a lack of standardized IV push medication preparation and administration teaching strategies used in nursing programs throughout the US. This lack of standardization creates an alarming variation in clinical practice that places patients at a higher risk of harm. A new Evidence-Based Practice guide and checklist of best practice standards Based on INS’s Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice and ISMP’s Safe Practice Guidelines for Adult IV Push Medications has been published to educate student nurses, novice nurses, and experienced nurses, to assess competency in skill acquisition related to IV push medication administration.

INS acknowledges the plight of the public, our members and valued colleagues, as we work collectively to manage the many concerns associated with COVID-19. Many are asking if INS is able to give “new guidance” regarding modification for adherence to the INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. While we are presently unable to recommend modifications to the established standards of practice (e.g., extend dressing change intervals, extend administration set change intervals, etc.), we recognize the challenges many are facing due to the limited number of caregivers and the scarcity of supplies.

​Is your facility ready for the new chemotherapy handling requirements? A survey sponsored by BD shows that pharmacists and nurses may not be as ready as we think…

INS established a vesicant task force with the goal of developing an evidence-based list of noncytotoxic vesicant medications/solutions. Outside of oncology practice, there is not a list of noncytotoxic vesicants as established by a ­professional­ organization. ­INS ­identified ­the ­need ­to ­­address ­this ­gap ­based on ­the­ following­ ­premise:­the­ first­ step ­in­ preventing ­extravasation ­is ­the ­identification ­and ­recognition ­of ­vesicant­ drugs and solutions. The scope of work was limited to creating an evidence-based list of noncytotoxic vesicant medications/solutions and developing an extravasation checklist that outlines risk reduction strategies including early recognition of signs and symptoms of extravasation.