Andrew Barton

Extravasation and infiltration: under-recognised complications of intravenous therapy

The NIVAS extravasation and infiltration toolkit focuses on the prevention, awareness, treatment, reporting and follow-up of these injures..

Learning from incidents

Complications in clinical practice are not uncommon. For most patients, having a vascular access device or IV therapy will be the most invasive procedure they will experience during their hospital...

KiteLock 4%: the next generation of CVAD locking solutions

Any break in the skin is a breach of the body's first line of defence against infection. In relation to vascular access there are two key points of entry for infection entering into the body, these...

Changing attitudes towards vesicant drug administration

Commonly given intravenous (IV) drugs such as aciclovir, gentamicin and even furosemide, which are all vesicant, can all cause different degrees of tissue damage if they extravasate.

Factitious disorder in IV therapy

It is essential to maintain a high level of suspicion while also approaching patients with empathy and understanding. Building a rapport with patients can help in effectively addressing and managing...

Kicking the glove habit

Through my work with NIVAS, I spent quite a bit of time in 2022 talking about glove use in clinical practice. I've had time to reflect on my own practice and practice nationally within the IV therapy...

The case for implementing nurse-led vascular access service teams

The first nurse-led hospital-wide vascular access service was set up in 1991 in Oxford. This service proved that the implementation of a VAST could lead to a radical reduction in infections and...

How to improve aseptic technique to reduce bloodstream infection during vascular access procedures

‘Sets of evidence-based practices that, when implemented collectively, improve the reliability of their delivery and improve patient outcomes. [They] contribute to infection prevention, reduce...

The benefits of vascular access service teams

Vascular access in all its forms is the most common, invasive procedure patients will experience in healthcare today. From obtaining blood samples to the delivery of intravenous therapy, vascular...

Improving patient safety

Resetting best practice in IV therapy and vascular access

In this IV supplement you will find two excellent international articles. The first is an insightful piece from the journal of the Canadian Vascular Access Association on the effectiveness of...

Focusing on patient safety

Changes by necessity have opened up new opportunities

‘I hope the positive adaptations we have made over the past year, such as an increase in IV team numbers, different ways of working and refocusing attention on infection control measures, will make...