New CMS Ruling: The Impact on Health, Hospitals, and Infusion Therapy
(Two-part series: September 4, 2008, and September 16, 2008)

On October 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be implementing a provision within the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that prohibits payment to hospitals for care required to treat several types of hospital-acquired conditions. In a unique and exciting collaboration, the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) and the Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA) have developed a two-part series that will present an overview of the ruling, its potential impact on hospitals and the infusion community, as well as the use of best practices to reduce/eliminate infections. Each session will be one hour in length.

If you would like to attend both the September 4th and the September 16th program, you must register separately for each.

New CMS Ruling: The Impact on Health, Hospitals, and Infusion Therapy Module 1: Overview and Effect of the New CMS Ruling
(September 4, 2008 at 1:00 PM EDT, 12:00 PM CDT, 11:00 AM MDT, 10:00 AM PDT)
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
(September 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM EDT, 12:00 PM CDT, 11:00 AM MDT, 10:00 AM PDT)
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 3: Catheter Patency Series: Flushing Away the Myths - Alternatives to Heparin in Locking and Maintaining Central Vascular Access Devices
(June 24, 2008)
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
(June 3, 2008)
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.

Module 2: Catheter Patency Series: Flushing Away the Myths - Complications Associated with Vascular Access Device Patency
(May 20, 2008)
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 1: Catheter Patency Series: Flushing Away the Myths - Current Guidelines for Flushing IV Catheters
(April 15, 2008)
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.

Excess Iron: Blood’s Hidden Risk
(December 4, 2007)
This 60-minute program will look at the cause, effects, and assessment of transfusional overload.