Acute hepatitis C virus infection related to capillary blood glucose meter

needlestick

We describe an unusual case of a 25-year-old male medical student, acquiring acute HCV infection with a lancing device of CBGM” Inayat and Rai (2016). Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects an estimated 130-150 million people worldwide, becoming the major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation. There are various preventable […]

Clinical equipment trolleys reduce clinical skill completion time

preanalytical error

Poorly organised clinical equipment can waste significant amounts of time otherwise available for direct patient care” Ward et al (2015). Abstract: Poorly organised clinical equipment can waste significant amounts of time otherwise available for direct patient care. As a group of foundation year one doctors, we identified the organisation of clinical equipment across surgical wards […]

Peripheral intravenous catheter failure was less with skin glue

extravasation

This study supports the use of skin glue in addition to standard care to reduce peripheral intravenous catheter failure rates for adult emergency department patients admitted to the hospital” Bugden et al (2015). Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVE: Peripheral intravenous catheters are the most common invasive device in health care yet have very high failure rates. We […]

Review of infective endocarditis in intravenous drug users

shock

Approximately 10% of infective endocarditis (IE) involves the right side of the heart with the majority of these cases occurring in intravenous drug users” Colville et al (2015). Abstract: Approximately 10% of infective endocarditis (IE) involves the right side of the heart with the majority of these cases occurring in intravenous drug users. Patients are […]

Are patients cannulated unnecessarily in the emergency department

infusion phlebitis

The majority of PIVCs inserted during the ED visit were used for medical treatment. The majority of devices were used for intravenous fluids medications and were accessed for multiple interventions” Fry et al (2015). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Peripheral intravenous cannulation is a common intervention performed within the Emergency Department (ED). However, studies have shown that while […]

Comparing the psychological impact of central and peripheral intravenous therapy

iv port

The aim of this study was to evaluate descriptively patients´ awareness of the administration of parenteral drugs, risks in the application and the differences between the administration of drugs to the central and peripheral venous system” Jokl et al (2015). Abstract: BACKGROUND: This paper deals with the psyche of patients during intravenous therapy. Since any […]

Venous air embolism and vascular access devices

icu infusion

…we conclude that the source of venous air embolism was either the insertion of the peripheral intravenous cannula and/or the injection of F FDG, via a power injector, 1 hour before the scan” Dejanović et al (2015). Abstract: We present the findings on F FDG PET/CT in connection with iatrogenic venous air embolism. The patient […]

Vascular access device tip movement in the superior vena cava

central access device

Adequate catheter tip location is crucial for functional intravenous port and central venous catheter” Wu et al (2015). Abstract: Adequate catheter tip location is crucial for functional intravenous port and central venous catheter. Numerous complications were reported because of catheter migration that caused by inadequate tip location. Different guidelines recommend different ideal locations without consensus. […]

Vascular access device choice and patient assessment

CVC

This was with the intention of producing a resource for frontline staff to be able to assess and select the best vascular access device to meet the individual patient’s needs and to preserve veins for future use” Hallam et al (2016). Abstract: Vascular access is an important part of many patient care management plans but […]

Ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access techniques

Ultrasound Vascular Access

The role of ultrasound in peripheral venous access remains questionable” Fuzier et al (2015). Abstract: International guidelines advocate the use of first-line ultrasound for central venous catheter, particularly for the internal jugular vein. [ctt tweet=”ReTweet if useful… Ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access techniques http://ctt.ec/HdcDK+ @ivteam #ivteam” coverup=”HdcDK”] The role of ultrasound in peripheral venous access remains […]

Vancomycin dosing recommendations for trauma patients

Vancomycin dosing

The objectives of this study were to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in trauma patients and to propose dosing schemes to optimize therapy” Medellín-Garibay et al (2015). Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in trauma patients and to propose dosing schemes to optimize therapy. [ctt […]

Effect of pH adjustment to prevent intravenous chemotherapy administration pain

infusion

The aim of this phase II clinical trial was to evaluate the preventive effect of dexamethasone mixing injection for venous pain in patients with colorectal cancer during chemotherapy” Hata et al (2015). Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this phase II clinical trial was to evaluate the preventive effect of dexamethasone mixing injection for venous pain […]

MRSA exhibiting vancomycin-creep portends a poorer prognosis

peripheral iv

MRSA exhibiting vancomycin-creep portends a poorer prognosis and requires aggressive therapy. We advocate the use of ceftaroline salvage therapy with daptomycin, pending further trials” Sundaragiri et al (2015). Abstract: Right-sided infective endocarditis (RIE) is commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus and often involves the tricuspid valve (TV). A 31-year-old man with prior intravenous drug use presented […]

MARSI: Medical adhesive-related skin injury prevalence

marsi

The median (range) product prevalence among all adhesive products varied from a high of 70 injuries per 1000 product-days for surgical closure to a low of 0 injuries per 1000 product-days for peripheral intravenous line dressing” Farris et al (2015). Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the daily prevalence of adhesive […]

Treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

infusion

We report a case in which a patient presenting with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy received an IV lidocaine infusion over the course of 60 minutes with complete symptomatic pain relief for a prolonged period of 2 weeks” Papapetrou et al (2015). Abstract: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating side effect of chemotherapy, which manifests as paresthesias, […]

Effect of VeinViewer on IV access attempts, procedural time, and patient and nurse satisfaction

Needlefree

This study evaluated the effectiveness of VeinViewer for peripheral vascular accessing a pediatric hematology oncology clinic” Ramer et al (2015). Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of VeinViewer for peripheral vascular accessing a pediatric hematology oncology clinic. After obtaining consent, 53 patients were randomly assigned to either the VeinViewer group (n = 27) or standard […]

OPAT-related complications reduced by process improvements

opat

We identified patient characteristics and OPAT treatment factors associated with increased risk of OPAT-related complications” Felder et al (2016). Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is an effective way of treating infections, but complications are common. We identified patient characteristics and OPAT treatment factors associated with increased risk of OPAT-related complications. [ctt tweet=”ReTweet if […]

Three-in-one parenteral nutrition in neonates and pediatric patients

neonatal io access

This review outlines the unique issues and challenges to be considered when formulating neonatal and pediatric 3-in-1 PN admixtures” Blackmer and Partipilo (2015). Abstract: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a life-sustaining therapy designed to deliver essential nutrients to patients unable to meet nutrition needs via the enteral route. PN may be delivered via a 2-in-1 system […]

Continuous infusion of valproic acid in hospitalized patients

infusion standards

We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of continuous infusion valproic acid in hospitalized patients with migraine and seizures” Cook et al (2015). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Valproic acid is a versatile antiepileptic drug that is often used in the acute care setting. Intravenous valproic acid lends itself well to a continuous infusion as it exhibits a […]

Measurement of central venous pressure using ultrasound

ultrasound va

Noninvasive assessment of the patient hydration condition using the ultrasound is a simple and practicable measure in emergency. With regard to the considerations, it is possible to estimate CVP via diameter measurement and cross-section of the central veins” Abbasian et al (2015). Abstract: BACKGROUND: In order to assessment of intravascular fluid measurement of central venous […]

Intracardiac thrombosis associated with neonatal central venous catheter

central venous catheter

This study allowed us to identify several contributing factors to the development of intracardiac thrombosis in the RA and SVC related to the installation of a CVC in a subgroup of critically ill neonates” Ulloa-Ricardez et al (2015). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter (CVC) installation is essential for the treatment of critically ill neonates; however, […]

Neonatal CLABSI rate reduction found in this prospective study

CVC

CLABSI rates were significantly decreased after our intervention, from 12 cases per 1,000 central vascular catheter (CVC) days during the preinterventional period to 3.4 cases per 1,000 CVC days during the postinterventional period (P = .004)” Rallis et al (2015). Abstract: To evaluate the effectiveness of a quality initiative in reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in […]

Which type of central venous catheter results in the least complications

child iv

Children with cancer who receive PN have increased risk of CLABSI and occlusion. The risk increase is greatest in children with ports: a 40- and 10-fold increase in infection risk and occlusion, respectively, resulting in similar complication rates during PN regardless of CVC type and negating the usual benefits of ports” Shenep et al (2016). […]

Skin bacteria at peripheral intravenous catheter insertion sites

CLABSI reduced

This study aimed to determine the bacterial community structures on skin at PIVC insertion sites and to compare the diversity with associated PIVCs.” Choudhury et al (2016). Abstract: Skin bacteria at peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion sites pose a serious risk of microbial migration and subsequent colonisation of PIVCs, and the development of catheter related […]

Antimicrobial lock solutions for the prevention of catheter-related infection

Glass Particles

The purpose of our study is to carry out a network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of different ALS for prevention of CRI in patients with HD and ranking these ALS for practical consideration” Zhang et al (2015). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Catheter-related infection (CRI) is a difficult clinical problem in renal medicine, with blood stream infections occurring […]

Migration of central venous catheters in neonates

PICC

This study aims to determine the frequency that umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) migrate into the cardiothymic silhouette after initial verification of correct placement” Gupta et al (2016). Abstract: Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency that umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) migrate into the […]

Measurement of osmolality of parenteral nutrition solutions

parenteral nutrition

Our aim was to measure the osmolality of several PN formulas at different component concentrations to determine if equations described in literature to calculate osmolarity accurately predict osmolalality…” Valero Zanuy et al (2015). Abstract: BACKGROUND: our aim was to measure the osmolality of several PN formulas at different component concentrations to determine if equations described […]

What are device-associated infection rates in Kuwait

clabsi

To report the results of the International Infection Control Consortium (INICC) study conducted in Kuwait from November 2013-March 2015” Al-Mousa et al (2016). Abstract: Background: To report the results of the International Infection Control Consortium (INICC) study conducted in Kuwait from November 2013-March 2015. [ctt tweet=”ReTweet if useful… What are device-associated infection rates in Kuwait […]

Clinician performance during image-guided procedures

Ultrasound Vascular Access

This article reviews how human operators process imaging data and use it to plan procedures and make intraprocedural decisions” Duncan and Tabriz (2015). Abstract: Objective: Image-guided procedures have become a mainstay of modern health care. This article reviews how human operators process imaging data and use it to plan procedures and make intraprocedural decisions. [ctt […]

Retraction notice for article that examined needleless connectors

needleless connectors

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief” American Journal of Infection Control (2016). Statement: This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. An investigation into an alleged failure to disclose COI was conducted by an interdisciplinary scientific review committee convened by senior leadership at Georgia Regents University (GRU). [ctt […]