Developing an Infusion Alliance: A Benchmark for Success
(August 11, 2009 at 1:00 PM EDT, 12:00 PM CDT, 11:00 AM MDT, 10:00 AM PDT)
Developed through a nursing education grant from B. Braun Medical, this 60 minute webinar will focus on two very important components of a successful Infusion Alliance – the implementation of evidence-based practices and the financial benefits it provides to the organization.

New CMS Ruling: The Impact on Health, Hospitals, and Infusion Therapy Module 1: Overview and Effect of the New CMS Ruling
William J. Kassler, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s New England Region, will be the presenter of this module.

New CMS Ruling:The Impact on Health, Hospitals,and Infusion Therapy Module 2:Infection Prevention Strategies to Prepare for the New CMS Ruling
Mary Ellen Scales, MSN, RN, CIC, Manager of the Infection Control Program at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, will be the presenter of this module.

Module 1: Catheter Patency Series: Flushing Away the Myths - Current Guidelines for Flushing IV Catheters
Vascular access devices (VADs) are placed in approx 95% of all hospital admissions. The nurse must be able to identify and implement proper procedure to ensure patency in all VADs catheters. Improper flushing can lead to Central line associated blood stream infections (CA-BSI), occlusion, extended hospital stays, or death. Preventing contamination and occlusion in all vascular catheters is crucial. This presentation will focus on the proper flushing techniques to maintain patency of vascular access devices.

Module 2: Catheter Patency Series: Flushing Away the Myths - Complications Associated with Vascular Access Device Patency
Each year an estimated 250,000 cases of Central line associated blood stream infections (CA-BSI) occur in hospitals with an estimated attributable mortality rate of 12%-25% per each infection. Complications associated with vascular access devices (VADs) are a leading cause of therapy being delayed or discontinued. This presentation will deal with the types of complications associated with VADs and the modalities that are available to prevent them.

Module 3: Catheter Patency Series: Flushing Away the Myths - Alternatives to Heparin in Locking and Maintaining Central Vascular Access Devices
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a drug-induced, immune-mediated type of thrombocytopenia. It can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality if unrecognized, making it vital that nurses recognize this issue and know how to manage it. This presentation will focus on the alternative locking solutions currently available for vascular access devices.

Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in an Age of Increasing Accountability: Melding Basic Care with Innovative Technology
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are those infections, which patients acquire while receiving treatment within the healthcare setting. HAIs are one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. This presentation will discuss the epidemiology of HAI’s and the impact of the new CMS regulations that will be implemented on October 1, 2008. The presentation will also discuss the role of antimicrobial impregnated technology and how it can reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.