Guidelines for Dressing Wear Time and Maintenance Guidelines for vascular access dressings focus on improving both wear time and dressing integrity. Maintaining intact dressings is important for preventing infection and minimizing risk of skin injury. It can also reduce unnecessary dressing changes and help wear time more closely match standard parameters. According to the 2021…
S. Matthew Gibson’s webinar “Pitfalls of Catheter Securement: The Dressing (Part 2)” explores different modalities and efficacies of catheter securement, identifies common causes of securement failure, and emphasizes the difference between stabilization and securement. Gibson also reviews the INS best practice recommendations for vascular access device and dressing securement, delving into the benefits of gum mastic…
Pivoting to Telemedicine Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, social distancing and reducing in‐person interactions have been essential to decrease viral spread. The healthcare industry has largely pivoted to telehealth per CDC recommendations, conducting clinical visits via virtual methods and operating in‐person facilities at restricted capacity. Doing so reduces unnecessary patient contact and exposure.¹ In order for…
3 Questions with S. Matthew Gibson, RN, CRNI, VA-BC, CPUI 3 Questions With… features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties such as Infection Prevention, Vascular Access, Surgical Care and more. These experts answer questions on the latest insights, evidence and current practices. For our newest 3 Questions With… vlog, Eloquest Healthcare is proud…
The newly released 2021 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (the Standards) has been substantially updated from the previous edition. Continuing to improve and standardize practice based on evidence improves patient quality of care and boosts efficiency at the same time. The Standards are rich with many new or refined practice recommendations, based on the ever-evolving…
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are deadly, associated with 12 to 25% mortality among the critical care patient population.1 Published guidance for preventing CRBSIs recommends a bundled approach for eliminating known risks. Multiple organizations, including the CDC, have published evidence based guidelines for preventing CRBSIs.2 However, little has changed regarding device care and maintenance. Jack LeDonne,…
Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) occurrence is arguably 100% preventable, yet central venous access device (CVAD) related infections have a 12-25% mortality rate in the ICU setting1. One to 2 of every 8 patients who develop CLABSI don’t survive. In the webinar, 18 Months of Sticking to it: Dedicated team site care using gum mastic…
ICU admissions in hospitals across the US have skyrocketed amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reports indicate that severe hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is the most common reason a COVID-19 patient is admitted to the ICU.1 While projections have varied widely, worst-case scenario estimates by the American Hospital Association cite a potential impact…
Swapna Kakani was diagnosed at birth with a rare chronic disease, Short Bowel Syndrome. For 27 years, Swapna has lived with supplemental intravenous nutrition and a feeding tube (from 0-24 she had a gastrostomy tube and from 24 onwards she has had an ileostomy). She has undergone several surgeries at multiple hospitals throughout the United…
Isabelle Edwards is known across the internet as the Diabetes Diva, and if you ever have the privilege of meeting her, you will understand why! Isabelle lives with Type 2 Diabetes, but her enthusiasm for life, her kindness, and her glamour are what you remember after spending time with her. She is a fierce advocate…