News & Discussions
What Exactly Does an IV Infusion Pump Do?
By Ryan MacArthur | Quick read: Infusion pumps are used to deliver fluids, nutrients or medication directly into a patient’s bloodstream while regulating the amount administered. Infusion pumps are able to provide calculated amounts of fluids, alert caregivers of...
IVs by the Numbers: How Much Are They Costing Us?
By: Ryan MacArthur | Quick read: With America’s healthcare expenses reaching $3.2 trillion in 2015, monitoring healthcare costs has become a larger priority. The average cost of placing a short-term peripheral IV is about $45, which can more than double if it takes...
Blood Transfusions: What You Need to Know
By: Heather Michon | Quick read: Blood transfusions are a common procedure performed when the body’s normal process for renewing blood is disrupted for any reason. Side effects like an allergic reaction or infection may occur, with more serious complications taking...
Infiltrated IV Complications of Nerve Damage and Cellulitis
By: Shira Goldenholz; Livestrong.com | Read the Original Livestrong.com Article Here. | An intravenous catheter, often shortened to IV, is commonly used to gain access to the circulatory system. It is often placed in one of the blood veins of the arm or hand, and once...
Deep vein thrombosis: an underdiagnosed life-threatening condition
Read the Original University of Kentucky Article Here. | By: Dr. Nathan Orr | Deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous condition where a blood clot forms in the larger veins of our body due to slow blood flow, blood vessel damage, or increased tendency to clot. When we cut...
Mom 101: Talking to Your Child About IVs
By: Sue Carrington | Quick read: It’s important to explain to your child what an IV is and why they’re getting one before a procedure takes place. It can be helpful to give a step-by-step overview of what will happen, including what the doctor/nurse will be doing and...
Infiltration & Extravasation: Complications Related to Dosing Errors
By: Ryan MacArthur | Quick read: Medication dosing errors are a harmful side effect of IV failure. If medication is leaking outside the vein, the patient isn’t receiving the full dose of the medication they need to get better. Leakage of vesicant drugs such as...
We’re running out of commonly used drugs – and hospitals say it’s ‘quickly becoming a crisis’
By: Lydia Ramsey | Business Insider Read the Original Business Insider Article Here. Hospitals are facing a shortage on medications that are used every day. The situation is getting worse, the American Hospital Association said. In particular, hospitals are facing...
IVs: Fact vs. Fiction
By: Ryan MacArthur | Quick read: IVs aren’t perfect and can fail like any other medical procedure. IV placement isn’t supposed to be painful, but it depends on the patient. After IV placement, the needle is removed, leaving just the cannula in the vein. There are...
IV Red Flags: Learn When to Speak Up
By: Heather Michon | Quick read: While your medical team will keep an eye on your IV for signs of complications, patients can take a more active role by knowing the IV red flags to look for. If you notice signs of puffiness, tenderness or blanching, you should alert a...