News & Press

Members - Cast Your Vote for the 2027 AVA Board

Tue, 7 Jul 2026 19:31:00 GMT

Don't miss out - Deadline is August 9th, 2026.

AVA Board Election

Calling all AVA members!

The future of the Association for Vascular Access is in your hands. Your vote helps shape the leadership that will guide AVA into the future.

The Board Development Commission has assembled a diverse and highly qualified slate of candidates.

Candidates bring expertise in clinical practice, leadership, education, research, governance, and innovation. Each is committed to advancing AVA's mission and strengthening our profession.

Now it's your turn.

Candidate information includes professional backgrounds, leadership experience, and personal statements to help you make an informed decision.

Step 1

Review the candidate slate

Learn about the candidates before casting your ballot.

Review Slate

Step 2

Cast your vote

Help shape the future leadership of AVA. Deadline: August 9, 2026

Vote Here

Who is the Board Development Commission?

The Board Development Commission (BDC) is made up of experienced AVA leaders, including former Board members and volunteers who have served in national leadership roles such as Special Interest Groups, Task Forces, Networks, and Committees.

The BDC is responsible for:

Recruiting qualified leadership candidates
Reviewing applications and evaluating leadership experience
Recommending candidates who possess the expertise and skills needed to serve on the AVA and AVA Foundation Boards

Their goal is to ensure AVA has strong, diverse, and capable leaders who will continue to advance our mission and serve our members.

Interested in serving on the BDC?

Leadership doesn't end with voting.

If you are passionate about helping identify and develop future AVA leaders, we would love to hear from you.

Learn More and Apply

Thank you for taking an active role in AVA's future. Every vote matters, and your participation helps ensure our organization continues to thrive through strong, member-driven leadership.

Please review the slate and cast your vote today.

AVA Publishes Standards of Care for Peripheral Intravenous Catheters

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:01:00 GMT

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) announced the publication of “Standards of Care for Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: Evidence-Based Expert Consensus” in the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (JAVA).

“Standards of Care for Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: Evidence-Based Expert Consensus” details a comprehensive, evidence-based expert consensus on the standards of care for peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs)—a thin, flexible vascular access device used to administer fluids, medications, or other treatments. This groundbreaking document aims to form a unified consensus on PIVC insertion, maintenance, and removal to eliminate implicit bias and provide safe, effective vascular access for all patients.

Thank you to the following organizations for their collaboration and support: AVA, INS, ECRI, AACN, INICC, APIC, ENA, SHEA, AVATAR, CVAA, AANA, AAENP, SONSIEL, PediNeoSIG, BACSIG, and ASAP.

On behalf of the Association for Vascular Access, we want to thank the expert panel who dedicated their time, talent, and knowledge on this important work: Judy Thompson, Marlene M. Steinheiser, J. Blake Hotchkiss, James Davis, Michelle DeVries, Katie Frate, Robert Helm, Chris W. Jungkans, Swapna Kakani, Sean Lau, Karen Lindell, Kristen McNiff Landrum, Karen A. McQuillan, DJ Shannon, Lorelle Wuerz, and Stephanie Pitts.

Click here to read full press release

AVA's Founder - Suzanne Herbst

Wed, 5 Jul 2023 19:52:00 GMT

It is with great sadness that we share the news of AVA’s Founder, Suzanne Herbst’s passing on July 1, 2023. Suzanne established AVA in 1985 in the San Francisco Bay area where she was a home infusion clinician caring for patients and friends with AIDS. She realized that healthcare institutions and clinicians’ knowledge of vascular access and vascular access devices varied widely. Important issues such as consumer education, care and maintenance procedures, catheter-related complications and their management were rife with incomplete and inconsistent information. In June of 1985, Herbst sent a letter to 12 colleagues in the San Francisco Bay Area where she proposed the development of a multidisciplinary network to address the complexities of VADs and their insertion, use, care, and maintenance. Issues ranging from research and development of VADs, to educating the health care community, to informing the patient community were on her agenda. Her focus was on the best possible outcomes for infusion therapy and on excellence in the new specialty of vascular access. During that first meeting it was unanimously agreed to develop a committee which was eventually called the Bay Area Vascular Access Committee (BAVAC). Its primary goal was to establish a collaborative effort through standardization of education, training, and research and development that would benefit consumers and healthcare professionals alike.

Because of her courage to bring together a multidisciplinary approach to the specialty of vascular access, AVA has grown to more than 4000 members who are committed to the mission to advance the global practice of vascular access, through awareness, advocacy, and education to improve healthcare outcomes.

We have been informed that there will be a memorial service in late August, and we will share more information as it becomes available to us. AVA will be paying tribute to Suzanne in Portland, Oregon, during the Annual Scientific Meeting, October 14-17, 2023.

Suzanne’s family has requested donations can be made to the AVA Foundation in memory of her by clicking here.

Registration Now Open for AVASM23

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 21:33:00 GMT

Registration is now OPEN!

AVA is offering 2 registration types this year; In-Person and On-Demand.

Click here to learn more about AVASM23!

AVA Selects a New AMC - Talley Management Group, Inc.

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:42:00 GMT

The Association for Vascular Access Selects a New AMC – Talley Management Group, Inc.

Mt. Royal, NJ – March 1, 2023 – Talley Management Group, Inc. (Talley) is excited to publicize its new partnership with the Association for Vascular Access (AVA)! Talley will be supporting AVA by providing a variety of association management services. AVA is a leading healthcare organization dedicated to advancing the science and global practice of vascular access through awareness, advocacy, and education.

As AVA's full-service AMC partner, Talley will provide comprehensive management services, including financial management, membership development, marketing and communications, publication support, and event management. Talley's team of experts will work closely with AVA to support its mission and drive growth for the organization.

"We are excited to welcome the Association for Vascular Access as our newest client partner," said Joe Sapp, President of Talley. "AVA is a vital organization in the healthcare community, and we look forward to supporting its mission and helping it reach new heights."

AVA is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient care through the advancement of vascular access, and its members are experts in the field of vascular access and infusion therapy. The organization provides a variety of educational and networking opportunities for its members, as well as advocacy and research initiatives to advance the field.

“After exploring our options, AVA is excited to partner with Talley to help us move our organization forward. CEO turnover had been a chronic issue for AVA and we believe that Talley provides us the stability that we need to better serve our members and to continue to grow. We are early in the transition process but the leaders and staff at Talley have been great to work with. We look forward to tapping into their association management experience and implementing best practices from their toolbox,” says Tonya Heim, AVA’s Board President.

About the Association for Vascular Access

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is an association of healthcare professionals founded in 1985 to promote the emerging vascular access specialty. Today, its multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring about evidence-based innovations in vascular access.

Click here to see original release.

AVA HIRES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FOR JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR VASCULAR ACCESS

Thu, 8 Dec 2022 20:43:00 GMT

Michelle L. (Mickey) Hawes RN, DNP, CRNI, VA-BC, ACRP-CP, has been selected as the new Journal for the Association for Vascular Access EIC (Editor-In-Chief) and has accepted the position. She has already begun to step into the role and is working closely with the AVA team to ensure a smooth transition. Please extend your congratulations to Mickey and support her in her new role.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Lori Kaczmarek MSN, RN, VA-BC for her role as the interterm EIC and her continued support of AVA as she helps mentor Mickey in her new position.

Tonya Heim, MHA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
AVA 2022 President-Elect

AVA, B. Braun Partnership Continues to Raise Standards for PIV Education and Training

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 19:57:00 GMT

AVA, B. Braun Partnership Continues to Raise Standards for PIV Education and Training with Launch of New Certificate Course on Vascular Access

Collaboration Delivers Robust eLearning Curriculum to Healthcare Schools and Hospitals to Elevate the Standard of Peripheral IV Access and Care

BETHLEHEM, PA – September 29, 2022 – Today B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun), a leader in smart infusion therapy and pain management, together with the Association for Vascular Access (AVA), announced the launch of The Fundamentals of Peripheral IV Access eLearning Program^©. This robust eLearning curriculum consists of multiple comprehensive certificate courses focusing on the basic, intermediate and advanced concepts in vascular access and improving patient outcomes. The curriculum also includes a course focused specifically on pediatric and neonatal peripheral intravenous insertion and care.

In national surveys of healthcare schools and hospitals, it was identified that foundational education focused on the insertion and care of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) was inconsistent and deficient.[1]^,[2] In 2020, AVA and B. Braun formed a long-term collaboration to address the gap in education and help deliver a better patient experience. Together the organizations have developed a comprehensive eLearning curriculum available free of charge to universities and healthcare schools in the U.S. and internationally.

“AVA is committed to providing comprehensive education and training on vascular access to improve patient safety and outcomes,” said Judy Thompson, MSNEd, RN, VA-BC™, AVA Director of Clinical Education. “We’ve been proud to partner with B. Braun in the development of this innovative eLearning curriculum and to make it available to students, faculty and clinicians in keeping with AVA’s mission to protect patients and improve lives by creating evidence-based innovations in vascular access.”

“As a leader in infusion therapy, we are committed to raising the bar for PIVC care across the healthcare spectrum,” said Dr. Stephanie Pitts, DNP, RN, CPN, VA-BC™, NEA-BC, Director, Strategy, Therapy Solutions and Programs at B. Braun. “We’re proud of the collaboration with AVA to advance vascular access education and training to help healthcare providers improve the standard of vascular access care for patients.”

Peripheral Vascular Access Most Common Invasive Procedure Performed in Healthcare

Peripheral vascular access is the most common invasive procedure performed in healthcare.[3] It is estimated that 380 million PIVCs are sold in the United States annually.[4] However, between 33 and 69 percent of PIVCs fail before the completion of treatment, and more than 50 percent of adults describe insertion as moderately painful or worse.[5] Collectively, this can lead to serious implications for patients in areas such as length of stay and cost.⁵ Peripheral vascular harm was named to ECRI’s top 10 patient safety concerns in 2021.[6] ECRI is an independent non-profit organization focused on healthcare quality, patient safety and evidence-based healthcare guidance.

“The failure rate of PIVC insertions is not acceptable,” said David Banko, Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, B. Braun. “Something that is unacceptable should be preventable, and B. Braun is committed to doing its part to elevate the standard of IV access care,” he added.

Developing the Fundamentals of Peripheral IV Access eLearning Program^© was a collaborative effort involving AVA, B. Braun and many subject matter experts who are part of the broader vascular access community. Healthcare professionals, educators and the broader industry worked diligently to create a curriculum to advance the standard of IV access care. In addition, the program production was led by The Clinician Exchange, an organization that brings together a robust community of clinicians and their expertise to support innovation and education.

As part of B. Braun’s commitment to infusion therapy leadership, the company recently acquired the innovative Clik-FIX^®catheter securement device portfolio from Starboard Medical, Inc. The acquisition provides B. Braun with an industry-leading portfolio of catheter securement solutions. The AVA partnership and Clik-FIX acquisition support B. Braun’s Peripheral Advantage^® program designed to optimize clinical skills, product performance, clinical outcomes and improve the patient’s overall experience with peripheral IV care in hospitals.

About AVA

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is the dominant thought leader in the vascular access specialty and has a long-standing commitment to educating clinicians and pre-licensure students who represent a broad spectrum of healthcare professions around the globe. Founded in 1985, AVA is at the forefront of protecting and saving lives by establishing best practices and promoting patient advocacy. AVA’s multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more about AVA and the Fundamentals of Peripheral Intravenous Vascular Access, visit avainfo.org.

About B. Braun

B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun) is a leader in smart infusion therapy and safe and effective pharmacy products, patient and provider safety, and sustainable health solutions. Our purpose is to help providers constantly improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. With products and services created to help healthcare professionals focus on what matters most—their patients—we’re uniquely positioned to help health systems succeed now and in the future. B. Braun is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap^® and CAPS^®. The company employs 8,500 people at over 30 locations across North America.

Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise^® philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, explore our website.

[1] Hunter, M., Vandenhouten, C., Raynak, A., Owens, A., Thompson, J. Addressing the Silence: a Need for Peripheral Intravenous Education in North America. JAVA Vol 23 No 3. 2018.

[2] Vandenhouten, C., Owens, A., Hunter, M., Raynak, A. Peripheral Intravenous Education in North American Nursing Schools: A Call to Action. Journal of Nursing Education. Vol 59 No 9. 2020.

[3] Tripathi S, Gladfelter T. Peripheral intravenous catheters in hospitalized patients: Practice, Dwell times, and factors impacting the dwell times: A single center retrospective study. J Vasc Access. 2021 Mar 30:11297298211000874. doi: 10.1177/11297298211000874. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33784876.

[4] iData Research. (2020). US Market Report Suite for Vascular Access Devices and Accessories.

[5] Cooke, M., Ullman, A., Ray-Barruel, G., Wallis, M., Corley, A., Rickard, C. (2018). Not “just” an intravenous line: Consumer perspectives on peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC). An international cross-sectional survey of 25 countries. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193436

[6] ECRI https://www.ecri.org/press/racial-ethnic-health-disparities-top-patient-safety-concern-for-2021

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY BETH HOVDA DAVIS, MSN, RN, VA-BC, THE 2022 JANET PETTIT SCHOLAR

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:14:00 GMT

2022 Janet Pettit Scholar

Congratulations to

Mary Beth Hovda Davis, MSN, RN, VA-BC

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) created the Dr. Janet Pettit Scholar recognition to honor and commemorate outstanding contributions to the art and science of neonatal and pediatric vascular access. Dr. Pettit epitomized the mission and values of our organization.

This year AVA and the Pediatric Neonatal Special Interest Group (PediNeoSIG) recognizes Mary Beth Hovda Davis, as the 2022 Dr. Janet Pettit Scholar.

Ms. Davis is a Nursing Practice Leader for the Pediatric Vascular Access service at The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, where she has practiced for 15 years. From the national and global perspectives, Ms. Davis has led the cutting edge of pediatric vascular access education and practice with pacesetting publications. As the lead author on the position paper for minimum education and training for pediatric and neonatal intravenous insertion, she provided the foundation for AVA to develop a foundational eLearning course, a first in this specialty. She has collaborated globally to explore vascular access practice in children and changed practice to reduce patient harm through her distinct scholarly contributions. She has shared her research and practice innovations through numerous national and virtual presentations. Her nursing and professional achievements have been recognized through scholarships and awards including being named a Corridor Business Journal Forty under 40 Honoree.

As a former PediNeoSIG Chair, PediNeoSIG Liaison for the AVA D-Team, current PediNeoSIG Chair Advisor, and engaged PedNeoSIG member for 14 years, Ms. Davis has provided visionary leadership for pediatric and neonatal clinicians in the area of vascular access with an extraordinary heart for collaboration and mentorship.

In honor of the life work of Dr. Janet Pettit, please join AVA and the PediNeoSIG as we congratulate Ms. Mary Beth Davis as the 2022 Dr. Janet Pettit Scholar.

WINNER OF THE 2022 SUZANNE LAVERE HERBST AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN VASCULAR ACCESS

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:43:00 GMT

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) congratulates Stephanie Pitts, DNP, RN, CPN, VA-BC, NEA-BC on being the 2022 recipient of the Suzanne LaVerre Herbst Award for Excellence in Vascular Access.

The highest honor bestowed by AVA, the Herbst Award is granted annually to a member exemplifying AVA’s mission, including being a recognized expert in vascular access, for making significant contributions to the art and science of vascular access, and for positively affecting patient outcomes in vascular access.

Throughout her career, Dr. Stephanie Pitts has been a leading innovator in Pediatric Vascular Access, designing products and programs aimed at improving knowledge and efficacy in the field of vascular access. Stephanie developed and implemented the Vascular Access program at St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, contributing to improved quality of care. As an industry leader, Stephanie has enhanced clinical vascular access expertise in medical device sales through the development of evidence-based clinical education and support programs at two international medical device companies. Finally, Dr. Pitts has been a leader in collaboration, connecting industry and clinical leaders to develop evidence-based vascular access education aimed at improving outcomes.

Dr. Pitts has published within the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (JAVA) on pediatric ethanol locking and pediatric vascular access program best practices, as well as two AVA position papers. Additionally, Stephanie contributed to the miniMAGIC study on appropriate pediatric device selection in collaboration with the AVATAR group. Most recently, she co-developed the minimum competency guidelines for pediatric PIVC insertion and care. Her DNP project was a continuation of this work, developing these guidelines into online modules. This will change the way we educate and provide pediatric vascular access care.

Stephanie has been an active member of AVA since 2008, and served on the board of directors from 2018-19. She is also a member of GulfVAN, serving as their president from 2009-2013. Most notably, she helped to develop AVA's Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) and served as the SIG president from 2013-2016. Dr. Pitts has also presented at every AVA consecutively since 2010.

Sincere Congratulations, Stephanie!
2022 Herbst Award Review Committee

AVA provides input to the FY 2023 ACH and LTCH Prospective Payment System proposed rule

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 19:27:00 GMT

Re: Docket #CMS-1771-P

Dear Ms. Brooks-LaSure,

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is grateful for the opportunity to provide input to the FY 2023 Acute Care Hospital (ACH) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System proposed rule. AVA is an association of more than 3,500 healthcare professionals and was founded in 1985 to promote the emerging vascular access specialty. Today, its multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community and others to develop evidencebased innovations in vascular access. The mission of AVA is to lead healthcare by protecting patients and providers to improve lives. AVA’s mission is to advocate and educate for a world with safer vascular access.

Comment on the potential adoption of digital National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) measure: NHSN Hospital-Onset Bacteremia & Fungemia Outcome measure

AVA strongly supports adoption of the NHSN Hospital-Onset Bacteremia & Fungemia Outcome measure as a quality indicator to inform decisions on the Hospital IPPS and Value Based Purchasing.

The measure has several advantages for patient safety over the current systems in place for CLABSI (central line bloodstream infection) surveillance and reporting. Despite a standardized protocol, CLABSI surveillance still carries with it some inherent subjectivity in its application. Additionally, a significant subset of patients at high risk for developing the infection (step down/intermediate critical care units) are not included in the current reporting requirements. The introduction of fully digital reporting of Hospital Onset Bacteremia and Fungemia would remove the subjectivity and allow infection preventionists to focus on preventing infections rather than abstracting charts for reporting them. The use of all positive cultures also expands surveillance to include all inpatient areas, rather than focusing only on critical care and medical/surgical unit.

The inclusion of complementary metrics in the NHSN protocol offers a beneficial approach to risk adjustment as well as potentially understanding variations in practice such as blood culture collection/utilization and contamination. It is our hope that these measures are incorporated into the data submission for the Hospital Onset Bacteremia and Fungemia outcomes as well.

AVA encourages the continuation of current CLABSI surveillance during adoption of the new metric and until there is more robust data to support discontinuation. The currently elevated CLABSI incidences would suggest that this needs to remain an independent data element.

With regard to suppression of HAI measures for FY2023, AVA supports not using these measures for penalty calculations but encourages the measures to be continued to be collected and reported. AVA does not support the public reporting of these suppressed measures at the current time given the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Sincerely,

Tonja Stevens, RN, BSN, VA-BC™
AVA Board President

Board Approved statement 06.13.2022

AVA, B. Braun Launch Second Fundamentals of Peripheral Intravenous Vascular Access Course

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:10:20 GMT

Contact: Cate Brennan, CEO
Association for Vascular Access (AVA)
385.296.9758 (cell)
cbrennan@avainfo.org

Contact: Allison Longenhagen
B. Braun Medical Inc.
484.523.9801 (cell)
allison.longenhagen@bbraunusa.com

AVA, B. Braun Launch Second Fundamentals of Peripheral Intravenous Vascular Access Course

PIV 201 pre-licensure course focuses on hands-on insertion techniques, infection prevention, patient care

U.S. Based/New York – Feb. 22, 2022 – The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) and B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun) announced the launch of the second of three courses that will provide pre-licensure students in approved nursing, medical and allied health care academic programs hands-on training for insertion of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs). The Fundamentals of Peripheral Intravenous Vascular Access academic curriculum is free to qualified universities and colleges in the U.S. and Internationally.

PIV 201, which is available for the Spring 2022 semester, builds on the PIV 101 foundational course that launched for the Fall semester of 2021. The final course, PIV 301, is a certificate course to be launched in October 2022 that will focus on advanced concepts of vascular access, improving patient outcomes and critical thinking in vascular access. The comprehensive curriculum on the placement of PIVCs are offered free to medical, nursing, respiratory therapy, and other allied healthcare schools. Colleges and universities that want to include the free curriculum in their Spring 2022 semester can sign up now through AVA. The curriculum is being developed by U.S. and internationally recognized subject matter experts on vascular access, infection prevention and legal liability.

Vascular access is the most common invasive procedure performed in healthcare,¹ with more than 380 million placements of PIVCs in patients annually in the United States.² However, between 33 percent and 69 percent of PIVCs fail before the completion of treatment and more than 50 percent of adults describe insertion as moderately painful or worse.³ Collectively, this can lead to serious implications for patients, including increased costs and length of treatment.³ Peripheral vascular harm was named to ECRI’s top 10 patient safety concerns in 2021.⁴ ECRI is an independent non-profit organization focused on healthcare quality, patient safety and evidence-based healthcare guidance.

“As the recognized thought leader for the specialty of vascular access, the Association for Vascular Access is committed to providing clinical education and improving patient safety and outcomes, which starts with educating pre-licensure students,” said AVA President Tonja Stevens, BSN, RN, VA-BC™. “Insertions of PIVCs are performed by many different clinicians and professionals from nurses, physicians, advanced practice practitioners and allied healthcare professionals. This is reflective of AVA’s membership that work in various work settings such as hospitals, care centers/clinics, and alternate care and community settings. We are proud to partner with B. Braun in the development and offering of this innovative, e-learning curriculum to students, faculty and clinicians to ensure quality patient care and best clinical practice of this important skill.”

“The PIV curriculum will elevate the knowledge and skill of nursing students and nurses across the U.S. and beyond. I am thrilled to incorporate this evidence-based curriculum in our pre-licensure BSN program.” Christine Vandenhouten, PhD, RN, Chair, Professor of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“AVA’s goal is to elevate the knowledge and skills of all healthcare providers who routinely insert PIVCs, mid-lines and central lines as part of their in-patient, out-patient and home care practices,” said Judy Thompson, MSNEd., RN, VA-BC™, AVA Director of Clinical Education. “AVA and B. Braun partnered on this free academic curriculum because patients deserve a safe, infection-free, comfortable VA procedure from novice clinicians. We want to take the fear and discomfort out of the equation for both patients and providers.”

“As a leader in infusion therapy, B. Braun believes the failure rate of PIVC insertions is not acceptable,” said Dr. Stephanie Pitts, DNP, RN, CPN, VA-BC™, Director, Strategy, Therapy Solutions and Programs at B. Braun. “We are pleased to partner with AVA in offering this comprehensive curriculum to improve training in this important area of patient care, and we look forward to broad participation by schools across the country. Narrowing the knowledge gap will be critical to raise the bar in PIV care.”

AVA is compiling data on the pilot program and the full curriculum under an IRB-approved research study conducted by principal investigator Andrea Owens MSNEd., RN, CRNI®, VA-BC™. “Studies have demonstrated that current training programs are not consistent across pre-licensure programs and employer-based continuing education,” said Owens. “The IRB study will be used to make any necessary changes in the Fundamentals of Peripheral Vascular Access curriculum as a result of the findings.”

AVA has committed that the 3-part Fundamentals course will always be free to college and university healthcare pre-licensure programs through the AVA Vascular Access Education program. When schools include the curriculum in their programs, enrolled students and teaching faculty receive a free membership to AVA, allowing unlimited access to continuing education on advanced topics in vascular access.

The Fundamentals of Peripheral Intravenous Vascular Access will be available to practicing clinicians in October 2022 on AVA Academy for a fee. Continuing education credits will be awarded.

About:

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is the dominant thought leader in the vascular access specialty and has a long-standing commitment to educating clinicians and pre-licensure students who represent a broad spectrum of healthcare professions around the globe. Founded in 1985, AVA is at the forefront of protecting and saving lives by establishing best practices and promoting patient advocacy. AVA’s multidisciplinary membership advances research provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more about AVA and the Fundamentals of Peripheral Intravenous Vascular Access, visit avainfo.org.

B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Other key product areas include nutrition, pharmacy admixture and dialysis. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. B. Braun Medical is headquartered in Bethlehem, PA and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap® and CAPS®.

Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise® philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, explore our website.

####

Citations

¹Tripathi S, Gladfelter T. Peripheral intravenous catheters in hospitalized patients: Practice, Dwell times, and factors impacting the dwell times: A single center retrospective study. J Vasc Access. 2021 Mar 30:11297298211000874. doi: 10.1177/11297298211000874. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33784876.

²iData Research. (2020). US Market Report Suite for Vascular Access Devices and Accessories.

³ Cooke, M., Ullman, A., Ray-Barruel, G., Wallis, M., Corley, A., Rickard, C. (2018). Not “just” an intravenous line: Consumer perspectives on peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC). An international cross-sectional survey of 25 countries. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193436

⁴ECRI https://www.ecri.org/press/racial-ethnic-health-disparities-top-patient-safety-concern-for-2021

What's Wrong With This Picture? Miley Cyrus

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:32:29 GMT

This is Miley Cyrus. She is an American actress, singer and songwriter.

Miley grew up in the public eye as a teen idol starring in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana - named for her character - en route to selling over 70 million records.

She has parlayed her success for numerous philanthropic endeavors, lending her voice to charity singles including Just Stand Up (Cancer) Send it On (Environment) Everybody Hurts and We Are the World 25 (Haiti earthquake). Miley is involved with numerous healthcare causes, including the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Kids Wish Network, the American Red Cross, Make a Wish, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and St. Jude’s.

Miley has also visited countless, hospitalized fans to raise their spirits. You get the idea. Miley is both a global celebrity and intimately involved and familiar with healthcare delivery.

Unfortunately, recently she was stricken with a case of tonsillitis so severe she was admitted to the hospital. She posted the following images to her Instagram story, which is followed by nearly 100 million of her fans:

To most people - like Miley - this just looks like another hospital tube in her arm. But to trained vascular access professionals, here’s what they see:

This is a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) that’s been placed into her body to deliver medicine as part of treatment for her throat infection. Miley didn’t go to the hospital to just get a PIVC. She got a PIVC because of why she was in the hospital.

Vascular access is necessary for most healthcare delivery. When it’s done improperly, it can be…a wrecking ball.

This PIVC has been placed in her antecubital fossa, which is the inside of where the elbow bends. This insertion site was likely chosen because that vein is prominent and - with young, healthy people like Miley - can be seen with the naked eye. It’s easy to access with a needle.

But that expedience comes at a cost, as anyone with elbows can tell you. Arms are designed for bending (try going 10 minutes without bending your arm if you don’t believe it). As you can see in her other photos, Miley is forced to keep her left arm straight due to the catheter that’s been inserted into it.

Not bending your arm gets a lot trickier when you’re sleeping, when limbs can take on a life of their own. There are better sites on the body for inserting PIVCs, like in the forearm - which unlike the elbow, does not bend.

Getting picky, a 20-gauge IV was chosen here (as evident by the pink color) where a 22-gauge (that’s smaller) would have done the same job, but with added comfort for the patient and vein. A catheter/vessel ratio tool would have been useful here.

These devices - their insertion, care and maintenance - are the most common invasive procedures in all of healthcare. Hundreds of millions of them get placed every year in America. You’ve probably had at least one in your life.

Miley, a multi-millionaire, celebrity and healthcare philanthropy enthusiast, had hers placed sub-optimally and in an area that created unnecessary discomfort and risk. And she had no idea. This is what normal looks like to most patients, who don’t realize there’s a better, safer and more comfortable way to perform - and receive - vascular access.

She shared her pictures with millions of people, most of whom had no idea either. That’s not OK. The Association for Vascular Access would like to change that.

We are committed to protecting patients through advocacy and education by helping them understand and define what is normal with their PIVCs and other access devices. AVA also educates clinicians on important aspects of vascular access like site and device selection.

The AVA Foundation helps fund research, scholarships and initiatives that elevate the standard of catheter care and the competence of the people who administer them.

Vascular Access requires dedication and understanding. Miley didn’t go to the hospital to get a PIVC, but she could have ended up staying much longer - and possibly never leaving - because of it.

Fifty people die every day in American hospitals because of complications resulting from their vascular access devices. Miley did not become part of that statistic, but thousands of others do every year. We need to do better, not just for the rich and famous - but for all of us.

This is Miley Cyrus. She is a patient, just like all of us.

To learn more or to join AVA, please visit www.joinAVAnow.com

(Miley Cyrus has no relationship with AVA or the AVA Foundation, but she can always ask)

Association for Vascular Access Celebrates Inaugural Vascular Access Specialty Day

Sat, 5 Oct 2019 14:36:29 GMT

LAS VEGAS – For Suzanne Herbst, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than with 2,000 of your closest friends during the first-ever Vascular Access Specialty Day.

“All of you here is amazing and a testament to your commitment to vascular access,” Herbst said on stage at the Caesars Palace Convention Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 5, shortly after receiving a bouquet and birthday cake. “You’re all champions and to come here and want to learn more, you’re wonderful … I applaud you for what you do. Thank you so much for my birthday.”

A registered nurse, Herbst is the founder of the Association for Vascular Access (AVA), an association of healthcare professionals that promote healthcare’s emerging vascular access specialty. AVA holds annual scientific meetings at different locations across the U.S. The 2019 version marked the 33^rd consecutive year the organization celebrated its family reunion, but the first time it celebrated Vascular Access Specialty Day.

“Vascular Access Specialty Day allows us to recognize the dedicated individuals who safeguard the gateway to healthcare delivery in every setting,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “Vascular Access Specialists are multidisciplinary, representing all facets of healthcare, working throughout the care continuum. Their work requires recognition.”

AVA intends to celebrate the day moving forward, each with a different slogan. This year’s motto, “Improving Patient Outcomes, One Vessel at a Time,” was coined by AVA member Teresa Ortiz, MSN, RN, and magnified by all attendees throughout Herbst’s birthday celebration and the rest of the scientific meeting.

“The inaugural Vascular Access Specialty Day was a great success,” said AVA Member Engagement Committee Chair Chris Cavanaugh, BSN, RN, CRNI®, CIC, VA-BC™. “I can’t think of a better way to honor our founder, and at the same time call attention to the specialty that is Vascular Access. It is our hope that this day’s celebration can draw attention to and demonstrate the importance of having a Vascular Access Specialist in every hospital to ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

Cavanaugh led an effort in her home state of Florida to do just that. Mayors Lenny Curry of Jacksonville, Jane Castor of Tampa, and Buddy Dyer of Orlando all signed official proclamations recognizing Oct. 5, 2019, as Vascular Access Specialty Day. Mayor Jake Day did the same in Salisbury, Maryland.

“Our first Vascular Access Specialty Day was amazing as we celebrated with Suzanne and the more than 1,900 Scientific Meeting attendees,” AVA COO Tonya Hutchison said. “Oct. 5 is special because it united all disciplines that make up the specialty of Vascular Access, just as being an AVA member does. I am proud of AVA for declaring this day to celebrate the specialty and excited to watch it celebrate it each year moving forward.”

Herbst started the Bay Area Vascular Access Committee (BAVAC) in the Bay Area in 1985. Her determination to improve patient care built an international conglomerate of nurses, clinical educators, physicians, infection preventionists, radiologists, and many other disciplines. As BAVAC morphed into what AVA is today, an organization with more than 3,000 national members and growing, Herbst stood at the forefront at filling the gaps between clinician education and hands-on training after witnessing firsthand the struggles patients faced with unsafe needlesticks and improper practice.

“You’d have a patient come home from the hospital and they’d say they just got stuck 5 times by the same person, and they never had another person that was up to speed,” Herbst said. “And I understood that you can’t just keep repeatedly sticking someone because their veins are going to constrict.”

Considered the experts at performing the most common invasive procedure in healthcare, the vascular access specialists that attend the annual meeting also can join one of AVA’s 52 active vascular access networks across the U.S. and Canada. Continuing education credits are available at AVA’s online learning center, AVA Academy, and members have access to a bevy of other perks, like discounts on scrubs and hotel rooms.

The group’s annual scientific meeting, however, allows attendees to set sail on a four-day voyage full of educational sessions, networking opportunities and face-to-face interactions with industry exhibitors. This year’s event in Las Vegas witnessed a more than 25% increase in attendance, with attendees receiving top-flight education, networking, and an opportunity to meet with the companies that produce the devices and products they insert in patients daily.

A celebration certainly worthy of cake, flowers, handshakes, and hugs.

“I had an incredible birthday and look forward to what future Vascular Access Specialty Days have in store for AVA,” Herbst said.

AVA Shatters 33-Year Attendance Record at 2019 Scientific Meeting

Fri, 4 Oct 2019 18:30:47 GMT

AVA Shatters 33-Year Attendance Record at 2019 Scientific Meeting

October 4, 2019 - Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) announced a record-setting number of attendees at its annual scientific meeting, held this year in Las Vegas.

A total of 1,385 clinicians representing numerous healthcare disciplines registered for the 2019 meeting, which opened Friday at Caesars Palace, surpassing the record-setting 1,064 that attended the annual scientific meeting in Columbus, Ohio, last year. This marks the fifth consecutive year AVA has broken its record for attendees at its biggest annual event.

“Breaking our clinical attendance record by 30% is testimony to the urgency of advancing the vascular access specialty in healthcare,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “Growing exhibitor attendance by more than 40% illustrates the increasing investment corporations and startups are making in both the vascular access space and in AVA’s differentiated programs for industry partners.”

AVA members receive valuable discounts to attend scientific meetings, and the conference design team has developed curriculum tracks to accommodate for beginner, intermediate and expert vascular access proficiency. A record 81 industry exhibitors support this path to education in 2019.

“Registration numbers, exhibitors, and sponsorship support for the 2019 AVA Scientific Meeting have all exceeded our expectations,” 2019 AVA President Ken Symington, MD, VA-BC™ said. “This demonstrates how AVA’s popularity, relevance, and importance to patients, clinicians, and industry are growing stronger. We are truly realizing AVA’s mission statement: To lead healthcare by protecting patients and providers to improve lives.”

Clinicians from all 50 states, three Canadian Provinces and 23 countries – including Australia, Ireland, China, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and Brazil – made the trip to Las Vegas for this year’s meeting, again showing the international impact and obligation of the organization.

“We are excited to host AVA 2019 in Las Vegas. While we are obviously ecstatic about our record attendance, we are also proud to welcome more than 500 first-time attendees to Caesars Palace,” AVA COO Tonya Hutchison said. “Great Stores Begin at AVA is the theme for this year’s meeting – we look forward to the great stories that we will hear this year.”

The overwhelming support and generosity of AVA membership and its industry partners make meetings like the one in Las Vegas a can’t miss affair. New event programming like Vascular Access Ted-Style Talks and an interactive closing luncheon on the critical elements of Vessel Health and Preservation: The Right Approach for Vascular Access from The AVA Foundation with support from 3M, B. Braun, Medline and Teleflex sprinkle novel concepts with essential elements of practice to attendees. Perpetual networking conversations among new colleagues coupled with a wide range of educational sessions led by vascular access key opinion leaders give another example for why the national meeting continues to grow.

Providing healthcare professionals with a forum to discuss evidence and expert-based criteria that improve patient outcomes is one of the many ways AVA executes its mission: Protect the Patient | Educate the Clinician | Save the Line.

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The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) was founded to promote the emerging vascular access specialty. Today, AVA stands at the forefront of protecting and saving lives via establishing best practices and promoting patient advocacy. AVA’s multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring about evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more or join, visitwww.joinAVAnow.com

AVA 2019 Lucky 7 Contest Winners Announced

Fri, 6 Sep 2019 00:26:31 GMT

Now Available: Vessel Health and Preservation Special Enhanced Edition From AVA

Mon, 1 Jul 2019 12:00:00 GMT

NOW AVAILABLE: VESSEL HEALTH and PRESERVATION SPECIAL ENHANCED EDITION FROM THE ASSOCIATION FOR VASCULAR ACCESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2019 – A special enhanced edition of Vessel Health and Preservation: The Right Approach for Vascular Access is now available through Apple iBooks and Amazon Kindle for just $9.99.

Hours of exclusive audio interviews with the authors discussing their areas of expertise are embedded into this version of the book, as well as animated videography capturing elements from actual vascular access procedures. AVA has also elevated the overall readability, and through Apple and Amazon has added note-taking and flash card functionality for readers.

“AVA has taken a robust academic textbook and upgraded it into a dynamic learning experience,” AVA Director of Communications Eric Seger said. “The Vessel Health and Preservation model comes alive through our special enhanced edition, in part because you can actually hear the passion for vascular access and see it in action.”

The book serves as a modern and comprehensive guide for safely performing the most common invasive procedure in healthcare. It was composed by 16 internationally renowned subject matter experts, covering every aspect of vascular access over 22 chapters.

“When you open our enhanced edition up to ‘The VHP Model’ chapter, you can tap on that page and listen to the Nancies (Nancy Moureau, RN, BSN, PhD, CRNI®, CPUI, VA-BC™ and Nancy Trick, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC™) discuss the philosophy behind Vessel Health and Preservation and how it impacts healthcare delivery,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “You can hear Chellie (Michelle DeVries, MPH, CIC, VA-BC™), a global key opinion leader in epidemiology and author of the infection prevention chapter, make the impassioned case for vigilance.”

All of the original text and graphics are included in the special enhanced edition, which has also been formatted to improve readability. Nine separate audiobooks recorded with authors and produced by AVA’s ISAVE That Podcast show have been embedded into their respective sections.

“Words on a page are the foundation of learning,” AVA Director of Clinical Education Judy Thompson, MSN-Ed, RN, VA-BC™ said. “But there is a profoundly different educational experience when you’re hearing directly from the voices behind the Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT®, Stephen Rowley, RN, RSCN, MSc, BSc (Hons) and Simon Clare, RN, BA, MRes) prior to reading their words. It’s better for both engagement and retention.”

The Vessel Health and Preservation textbook was financially supported by Trick, 3M and Teleflex, and its open source publication was facilitated by AVA and The AVA Foundation. AVA’s enhanced edition’s availability through Apple and Amazon gives the book wider channels to extend dynamic vascular access education further. One-click gift options are available on both sites.

“I’m grateful for the overwhelming support of AVA and other organizations in amplifying Vessel Health and Preservation,” Moureau said. “This resource will help established and emerging clinicians create an ideal process for vascular access best practice. This collaboration helps all the authors realize our dream of sharing the VHP model.”

The special enhanced edition of Vessel Health and Preservation: The Right Approach for Vascular Access is now available through Apple iBooks and Amazon Kindle for just $9.99.

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) was founded in 1985 to promote the emerging vascular access specialty. Today, AVA stands at the forefront of protecting and saving lives via establishing best practices and promoting patient advocacy. AVA’s multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring about evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more or join, visit www.joinAVAnow.com.

Grand Canyon University Reduced Tuition Benefit

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:41:07 GMT

Association for Vascular Access and Grand Canyon University Announce Extension and Expansion of Reduced Tuition Benefit

June 18, 2019 – Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) announced it has renewed and significantly expanded its agreement in the Canyon Healthcare Education Collaborative (CHEC).

This expansion preserves what was already one of AVA’s most popular member benefits - reduced tuition rates at Grand Canyon University (GCU) - and takes it much further.

“Spouses and dependents of AVA members can now also access reduced tuition rates at GCU,” AVA Member and Network Manager Jennifer Livsey said. “Our members receive 10% reduced tuition; spouses and dependents receive a 5% tuition scholarship toward GCU’s online undergraduate, graduate or doctoral programs.”

In addition to discounted tuition scholarships, AVA’s expanded GCU benefit now also includes:

Tuition deferral (BSN = 45 days, MSN/DNP = 65 days) to better accommodate employer reimbursement policies and the ability to set up direct billing arrangements

Cohort opportunities - coordination of joint enrollment and graduation

OnPulse: Access to GCU CE services, including the GCU Speakers Bureau and GCU Professional Development

GCU job board and recruiting events

Nursing administrator fly-ins - priority invitations to programs and networking opportunities

This expanded benefit is available immediately to existing and new members without any change to membership rates.

“College tuition costs have exploded over the past few decades, significantly outpacing wage growth, housing costs and inflation over that period,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “This agreement is intended to not only help make all levels of higher education more affordable for our members and their families, but to also bring practical, real-world value to their investments in themselves.”

“College degrees should translate into enriching careers, not just pieces of paper.”

AVA members can learn more at the dedicated AVA-GCU web site: gcu.edu/ava.

Grand Canyon University, Arizona’s premier private Christian university, helps students find their purpose by offering more than 200 academic programs with over 150 online programs across nine colleges. Scholarship opportunities, student support resources, innovative learning experiences and faith-integrated curriculum help students achieve their goals and grow into servant leaders. Local representatives are available to provide face-to-face, personalized enrollment services. Every student receives one-on-one counseling support, including a complimentary pre-evaluation to review transcripts, determine transfer credits and develop a personalized graduation plan. Using GCU’s net price calculator, students can get an upfront estimate on their investment, as well as transparent guidance on their financial obligations and options. Learn more gcu.edu/ava.

The Association for Vascular Access Announces the Launch of AVA Academy

Thu, 9 May 2019 10:12:52 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2019 - Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA), in collaboration with The Clinician Exchange (TCX), launched a new, best-in-class learning management system tailored to aspiring and established vascular access clinicians.

Providing cutting edge training, critically-acclaimed presentations from scientific meetings, journal review courses and much more, AVA Academy is a groundbreaking initiative that advances the heart of AVA’s mission – Protect the Patient | Educate the Clinician | Save the Line. Academy curriculum is now available to the public, and to active AVA members at a discount.

“The launch of AVA Academy fills a significant unmet need in the global vascular access community,” AVA Director of Clinical Education Judy Thompson said. “Having examined the courses already available at launch and also looking ahead to the ones in development, I’m thrilled with what TCX will be delivering to our current members and future members.

"The expertise TCX brings to LMS development and adult learning enables AVA to create dynamic educational modules for the vascular access community in a timely and expeditious manner.”

Active AVA members can access learning modules and educational curricula focused on patient care in alignment with the most effective and current best practices and guidelines, while the same education is available broadly at a non-member rate.

“We are excited to make quality Vascular Access education as available and accessible as possible for every type of clinician – the beginner, the advancing and the expert,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said.

AVA members now receive access to learning modules and educational curriculum focused on patient care in alignment with the most effective and current best practices and guidelines.

“The association is committed to expanding AVA Academy into the quintessential resource center for both current and aspiring vascular access clinicians, built by a partner with a vast knowledge in providing such services,” Nasrallah said.

The AVA Academy IT architecture was developed through an agreement with TCX.

“TCX is proud to announce its partnership with AVA Academy to build the most reputable library of procedural and academic vascular access e-Learning courses available today,” TCX President and Founder Skender Daerti said. “Early iterations of the curriculum have already been administered to educate over 4,000 current and aspiring vascular access clinicians over the past year. Those students have given the curriculum a 97% learner satisfaction rating, primarily due to its purely objective nature and focus on educating strictly to industry vascular access standards.”

Users can access the extensive vascular access educational courses offered on AVA Academy at theAVAacademy.org. There they will find sessions from past annual AVA Scientific Meetings, each with CE credits available. All coursework available on AVA Academy has been approved for CE credits for nurses and Radiological Technicians, and more content is on the way.

“AVA Academy will soon be populated with educational courses for both generalists and specialists,” Thompson said. “We are excited to offer these courses, as the insertion of a vascular access device is the most common invasive procedure in healthcare. Following the initial rollout, AVA will continue creating and developing new, innovative content. Patient care never stops evolving, so neither will AVA – or AVA Academy.”

To learn more about AVA Academy, please email academy@avainfo.org.

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) was founded in 1985 to promote the emerging vascular access specialty. Today, AVA stands at the forefront of protecting and saving lives via establishing best practices and promoting patient advocacy. AVA’s multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring about evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more or join, visit www.joinAVAnow.com

The Clinician Exchange was founded by the healthcare industry, for the healthcare industry, to virtually and efficiently address healthcare needs to improve the current state of profession. Today, The Clinician Exchange efficiently connects 6,500 medical device suppliers with more than 6 million clinicians in the United States while offering insight in an effort to improve the industry for everyone. To learn more or join, visit https://theclinx.com/

Association for Vascular Access Announces Continuum of Care Special Interest Group (ConSIG)

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:09:30 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2019 – Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) announced the establishment of a special interest group tasked with advancing and executing AVA’s novel Continuum of Care strategy.

“AVA’s Continuum of Care special interest group will be known as ConSIG,” said Gwen Coney, MA, MSN, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC™. “ConSIG will have a major role in helping patients with vascular access devices more effectively navigate an often confusing care journey outside of the hospital setting.”

Coney will serve as ConSIG’s first advisor, with support from Amy Stone, BSN, RN, CRNI®, IgCN, VA-BC™. Both Coney and Stone are Directors-at-Large on the AVA Board. Linda Lembo, MSN, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC™ will serve as secretary while Jennifer Charron, MSN, RN, CNE and Laurie Santo, RN assume roles on the Leadership Counsel.

“AVA is currently in discussions with several acute care facilities about Vicarium, which is our program that aligns patient expectations for hand hygiene and vascular access to hospital policies,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “That alignment in the hospital is fairly straight-forward, but if we’re going to make those patient expectations portable – while addressing the common confusion of navigating an often fragmented alternate care continuum – we need to have leaders who know this maze.

“ConSIG will be instrumental to customizing Vicarium programs which streamline patient expectations and continuum of care navigation.”

AVA recognizes the need for tying patient expectations to evidence-based practice across the continuum of care regarding vascular access, not just in the acute care setting. ConSIG’s goal is to be the leading vascular access voice in transitional and post-acute care, through programs like Vicarium and in other projects through AVA.

“Currently, most of the scrutiny for vascular access devices best practice is placed on their insertion and use in acute care,” said Beth Gore, AVA Director of Outreach and the mother of a patient with a long-term vascular access device. “However, many of these devices are inserted and/or cared for in the post-acute space. The lack of standardization and coordination of care leaves patients feeling like they are falling through cracks in the system. As a result, there is significant and preventable harm as well as poor patient outcomes that are absorbed by both families and hospital resources.”

“Vascular access is not just seen in an acute care setting,” Lembo added. “AVA is interested in learning from its non-acute stakeholders and coalescing their capability around the needs and expectations of the patient, aligning everyone around best practice and the irreducible number of readmissions.”

ConSIG understands that care environments and their resources are not all created equal and will be engineering its solutions for fragmented care around the patient while aiming to get as close to standardization as possible.

“Knowledge of vascular access and infusion therapy should be no different than knowing any other area of care,” said Santo.

To add your voice to this initiative, visit www.joinAVAnow.com to join AVA and sign up to be a part of the ConSIG during the registration process. Existing members can contact the ConSIG at consig@avainfo.org. Join AVA in Las Vegas at its Annual Scientific Meeting from October 4-7, 2019, where the ConSIG will hold its initial face-to-face meeting. For more information, please visit www.avainfo.org/consig.

The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is an organization of healthcare professionals founded in 1985 to support and promote the specialty of vascular access. The mission of AVA is to represent and advance the vascular access specialty and community and define standards of vascular access through an evidence-based approach to enhance healthcare and patient outcomes. Today, its multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring about evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more, visit www.avainfo.org.

AVA SPOTLIGHT: ANGIODYNAMICS AND THE NO BLIND STICKS CAMPAIGN

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 20:59:49 GMT

Patient advocacy is at the forefront of AVA’s core values. Protect the Patient | Educate the Clinician | Save the Line represents and advances the vascular access specialty and defines standards through an evidence-based approach.

AVA’s mission thrives through collaboration with manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, infusion providers, home health agencies and other organizations through its unique Industry Partner Program.

AVA Enterprise Partner AngioDynamics* is committed to patient advocacy. Through its No Blind Sticks campaign this winter, AngioDynamics will reach clinicians on a personal and professional level to promote a commitment to utilizing proper ultrasound techniques and capabilities each time they place a vascular access device.

The operation kicks off December 27 and wraps up at the end of February. With such poor rates of first-stick success – particularly in non-ultrasound users like emergency rooms, intensive care units and even bedside clinicians – this campaign is an essential piece in taking a step forward to advancing vascular access care.

“Patient care shapes everything we do as an organization,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “If you’re ensuring proper sterilization techniques but failing to consider the use of an ultrasound probe to achieve safe access, you’re failing to put the patient first.

“AngioDynamics’ No Blind Sticks campaign embraces the significance of promoting proper insertion techniques to all clinicians, all with the patient in mind – and this is consistent with AVA’s mission. We support the use of imaging technology for all vascular access insertions.”

Clinical education is a critical piece of patient care. Careless techniques by the uninformed lead to poor first stick success rates, a variety of complications and unnecessary pain. The No Blind Stick Campaign addresses this virtually on social media and with the ISAVE That Podcast, in the classroom with a continuing education presentation on ultrasound techniques, on the ground in healthcare institutions and through a cost savings analysis.

“Every patient deserves first stick success for any vascular access procedure. The days of ‘blind sticking’ and palpating for veins is old school,” AngioDynamics Global Director of Clinical Marketing Stephanie Pitts said. “The combination of easy-to-use, affordable ultrasound with best in class clinical training makes the transition to using ultrasound simple. Take off your blindfold and let us help you help your patients.”

While the focus of this campaign is to raise awareness of poor first stick success rates and renew clinician engagement, it is a vital piece in the framework of other AVA initiatives. This includes the ISAVE That Line campaign, The AVA Foundation’s funding of the major innovative research project known as miniMAGIC, AVA’s collaboration with the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) and more.

“Would you drive with your eyes closed? Of course not, even though you could put your foot out the door and feel that the road was there. Don’t put a needle in a patient with your ‘eyes closed,’” AVA Director of Clinical Education Judy Thompson said. “The No Blind Sticks campaign epitomizes the importance of our mission to protect patients by having clinicians assess veins and visualize the needle into vessel, avoiding valves and curves and thus increasing first attempt success rate.”

Be sure to follow AVA and AngioDynamics on social media, subscribe to the ISAVE That Podcast and join the conversation. Together, we can provide better patient care by committing to safe vascular access techniques.

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About AngioDynamics

AngioDynamics, Inc., is a leading provider of innovative, minimally invasive medical devices used by professional healthcare providers for vascular access, peripheral vascular disease, and oncology. AngioDynamics’ diverse product lines include market-leading ablation systems, fluid management systems, vascular access products, angiographic products and accessories, drainage products, thrombolytic products and venous products. For more information, visit http://www.angiodynamics.com/

Trademark information

*AngioDynamics is a trademark and/or registered trademark of AngioDynamics, Inc., an affiliate or subsidiary.

Record Clinical Attendance at AVA 2018

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 19:55:14 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Association for Vascular Access Announces Record Number of Clinical Attendees at Annual Scientific Meeting

September 15, 2018 - Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) announced a record-setting number of clinical attendees for its annual scientific meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

A total of 1,064 clinicians representing an array of healthcare disciplines registered for the 2018 meeting, which opened Saturday, surpassing the record-setting 926 that attended the annual scientific meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, last year.

“Medical conference attendance overall is flat and declining with the rise of virtual and local meetings,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “Growing our clinical attendance by more than 10% is a testament to both the work AVA’s conference design team puts into making this event so attractive and valuable, as well as to the burgeoning culture of vascular access.”

AVA members receive discounted attendance at scientific meetings, and the conference design team has developed curriculum tracks to accommodate for beginner, intermediate and expert vascular access proficiency.

“AVA has taken strategic steps in the last few years to provide significant relevance to the member benefits that healthcare professionals seek to engage, support for clinicians challenged with delivering best practice care to patients, and critical partnerships with industry leaders and healthcare organizations,” 2018 AVA President Andrea Owens, MSNEd, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC™ said.

“Every scientific meeting has offerings that educate on the continuum of novice to expert and our attendees know they will be welcomed, encouraged and challenged. My first AVASM was so impactful it literally changed the trajectory of my career. Others will tell you similar stories as they return, as I have, every year.”

Clinicians from all 50 states, four Canadian Provinces and 19 countries – including Australia, Ireland, China, New Zealand, Japan and Brazil – descended upon Ohio’s capital city for this year’s meeting, again showing the significant reach and obligation of the organization.

“We are ecstatic to host AVA 2018 in Columbus. The AVA is Us theme for this year’s meeting is a terrific representation of our multidisciplinary organization, and our map of attendees exhibits its growth,” AVA COO Tonya Hutchison said.

“The sessions are relevant to everyone in the vascular access specialty. Each year at our annual meeting I look around and am truly inspired by the dedicated clinicians and industry partners that are all here for the same reasons – better patient care.”

The overwhelming support and generosity of AVA membership and its industry partners make meetings like the one in Columbus successful, bringing new ideas and initiatives to the vascular access space. Networking conversations among new colleagues and educational sessions led by key opinion leaders in vascular access show why AVA’s annual scientific meeting is a can’t miss affair.

AVA Foundation Appoints Eddie Korycka to President of Board of Directors

Thu, 9 Aug 2018 17:03:44 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2018 - Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) Foundation Board of Directors announced the appointment of Eddie Korycka, RN to acting President.

Korycka’s appointment comes as a result of a unanimous vote. It positions Korycka as Foundation President through August 2019, a term of a full calendar year.

“Thanks to incredibly dedicated professionals, the specialty of vascular access is garnering much deserved attention. Without access, patients cannot receive critical therapies. Without education and research, clinicians cannot provide optimally for their patients, their devices and potential complications,” Korycka said. “I am proud to be serving with a board that is eager to develop the resources that clinicians need to advance the specialty of vascular access and protect the patients they serve.”

Korycka brings nearly 30 years of nursing experience to the office of AVA Foundation President, with 20 years entrenched in the vascular access specialty. His focus is on optimizing patient outcomes, creating new and innovative training techniques for clinicians and sharing his knowledge and experiences with vascular access teams.

“Eddie Korycka brings decades of vascular access experience and dedication to the AVA Foundation. It is a privilege and an honor to have him serve in this leadership role,” said AVA Foundation Presidential Advisor Lori Kaczmarek, RN, BSN, VA-BC™, who served as Foundation Interim President during the search for a new President. “His passion for vascular access education and competency align with the core mission of the organization and assures a strong future for the AVA Foundation.”

The AVA Foundation is dedicated to saving lives through vascular access innovation, research and education. It serves clinicians interested in vascular access, students of the healthcare professions and vascular access patients and their families. It is the nonprofit 501 (c)(3) arm of the Association for Vascular Access, which advances the vascular access specialty and defines its standards through evidence-based interventions to enhance healthcare and patient outcomes.

The Foundation funds projects like miniMAGIC, a novel algorithm that produces evidence-based recommendations for when a particular vascular access device is appropriate for use in a pediatric setting.

“Eddie joined the Foundation board last summer when we were intent on building a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and diverse board of directors to help support and drive the mission,” AVA Foundation CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “His passion, attention to detail and enthusiasm make him a great fit for the role. I’m excited to see how the Foundation’s influence continue to grow under his leadership.”

With the support and generosity of AVA membership and its industry partners, initiatives like miniMAGIC represent the projects Korycka and the Foundation Board of Directors will critically review. He will oversee future collaborations aimed at providing healthcare professionals with evidence and expert-based criteria to improve patient outcomes.

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The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) Foundation is dedicated to saving lives through risk-free vascular access by promoting evidence-based clinical practice. The Foundation serves clinicians interested in vascular access, students of the healthcare professions, and vascular access patients and their families. We are a not-for-profit, 501©(3) educational and research organization. To learn more or donate, visit www.avainfo.org/foundation or support the AVA Foundation by designating it as your favorite charitable organization when you shop at AmazonSmile.

AVA and NHIA to Collaborate

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:30:10 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Association for Vascular Access and the National Home Infusion Association Collaborate to Deliver New Benefits to NHIA Members

July 17, 2018 – The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) and the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) today announced a collaborative relationship that establishes a foundation for jointly advancing patient care while also reducing AVA membership fees for NHIA members.

“NHIA is committed to supporting the advancement of the home infusion field and the professionals who are working to improve patient outcomes. The relationship with AVA will open the door to exciting new resources and serve as a valuable benefit to our members,” said NHIA Vice President for Clinical Services Jennifer Charron. “We are thrilled to collaborate with AVA, whose focus on advancing vascular access, a critical component in delivering infusion therapy, aligns with the association’s efforts to enhance patient care.”

As part of the collaboration, NHIA members will receive a 15% discount on the annual fee that unlocks AVA member benefits, which include subscriptions to the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access and Intravascular Quarterly e-newsletter, access to the AVA Learning Center, reduced board certification fees, discounted college tuition and AVA Annual Scientific Meeting registration.

“AVA’s multidisciplinary membership represents every layer of the vascular access continuum including home infusion, a vital and growing component in patient care,” said AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah. “Vascular access doesn’t always end when a patient is discharged from the hospital. In many cases, it’s the beginning. NHIA and AVA can work together to bring standardization to a fragmented continuum of care, enhance clinician competence, improve patient healthcare literacy and upgrade safety, comfort and cost-effectiveness around the most common invasive procedure in all of medicine.”

NHIA members who become AVA members gain access to numerous benefits, but also become more entrenched in the broader, multi-disciplinary vascular access community.

“AVA is determined to protect the vascular access patient from insertion through the completion of therapy – or if it’s a chronic patient, for life,” said AVA Director of Outreach Beth Gore. “Home infusion has an important voice in the vascular access continuum, and we are excited and determined to give NHIA members that platform at AVA.”

NHIA members can visit www.joinAVAnow.com to take advantage of all the great benefits associated with becoming an AVA member.

Contact:

Eric Seger

Association for Vascular Access

937-307-2368

eseger@avainfo.org

Marilyn Tretler

National Home Infusion Association

703-838-2658

Marilyn.tretler@nhia.org

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The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) is a trade association that represents companies which provide infusion therapy to patients in their new homes, as well as companies that manufacture and supply infusion and specialty pharmacy products. Infusion therapy involves patient-specific compounded medications, supplies and a range of pharmacy, nursing and other clinical services for delivering care to patients in the home setting. For more information, visit the association at http://www.nhia.org/

AVA Spotlight: Genentech and ISAVE That Line!

Wed, 16 May 2018 13:00:34 GMT

AVA SPOTLIGHT: GENENTECH AND ISAVE THAT LINE!

ENSURING PATENCY FOR CENTRAL VENOUS ACCESS DEVICES (CVADs)

Ensure Patency is the fifth of the five pillars of the I SAVE That Line campaign, developed over a decade ago by the Association for Vascular Access (AVA). Its intent is to drive comprehensive best practices around catheter care and maintenance.

AVA Platinum Industry Partner Genentech uses the ISAVE campaign as a vehicle to drive optimal and holistic vascular access procedures and device safety. That fifth pillar is closely aligned to its mission of ensuring patients continue to have central line access for their life-sustaining therapies.

“If you’re ensuring catheter patency but underperforming in the other vital areas of care and maintenance, you’re not keeping your patient safe,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “The ISAVE campaign isn’t a series of choices for delivering optimal outcomes and reducing risk; it’s a philosophy that must be adopted intact.

“Genentech has embraced ISAVE from the beginning. They are committed telling the whole story, not just a part of it.”

CVAD patency is an essential part of safe patient care. Partial or complete occlusions must be treated expeditiously to prevent harm to the patient.

“It is not optional to verify a free-flowing blood return prior to the administration of infusates,” AVA Director of Clinical Education Judy Thompson said. “This simple action can detect something as minor as the start of a partial occlusion, or as serious as an erosion through the vasculature into the plural space.”

While Genentech utilizes the Ensure Patency piece of the ISAVE campaign ahead of the others, the entire movement symbolizes essential pieces for all vascular access professionals.

Simple and affordable for any healthcare facility to adopt, ISAVE is a no-brainer for anyone involved in vascular access and safety.

About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com

The Association for Vascular Access Announces Adhezion Biomedical as Platinum Industry Partner

Thu, 3 May 2018 15:00:53 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Association for Vascular Access Announces Adhezion Biomedical as Platinum Industry Partner

May 3, 2018 - Today the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is announcing Adhezion Biomedical, LLC as its newest Platinum Industry Partner, a relationship designed to further enhance the care and management of vascular access.

Creators of the SecurePortIV™ catheter securement adhesive, Adhezion is a leading medical company in the development and manufacture of wound closure and vascular access management products.

“AVA puts a premium on evidence-based innovation in vascular access,” AVA CEO Ramzy Nasrallah said. “Adhezion is supporting research that is proving Tissue Adhesive as an innovative and effective way to care and maintain vascular access device insertion sites. We’re thrilled to have them actively engaged with the AVA community.”

Pennsylvania-based Adhezion has designs on redefining how surgical adhesives and sealants are used in medicine. This aligns with AVA’s mission to Protect the Patient | Educate the Clinician | Save the Line.

“Adhezion is excited to partner with AVA, the organization that uses clinical evidence to define the vascular access standard of care, said Pete Molinaro, Adhezion CEO and Chairman. “Our partnership with AVA is helping us to engage with the leading vascular access experts to further advance tissue adhesive research and to educate clinicians about current research showing how the use of tissue adhesive can improve IV catheter-related outcomes.”

This partnership not only serves clinicians looking for innovative ways to care and maintain for vascular access sites, it keeps the patient at the forefront of the equation, providing publicity to a product designed to reduce the dressing disruption and catheter complications.

“We are thrilled to serve as the vehicle for Adhezion to further its reach in the vascular access space,” AVA Director of Clinical Education Judy Thompson said. “Partnering with Adhezion at a Platinum level allows AVA to take another step forward in our desire to reduce the risk and discomfort associated with vascular access procedures.”

AVA’s Industry Partnership Program is reserved for manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, infusion providers, home health agencies, government agencies, distributors and other entities interested in enhancing the care and management of vascular access through a multidisciplinary team effort. For more details on AVA’s Industry Partnership Program and its benefits, please visit avainfo.org/industrypartnership.

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The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) was founded in 1985 to promote the emerging vascular access specialty. Today, AVA stands at the forefront of protecting and saving lives via establishing best practices and promoting patient advocacy. AVA’s multidisciplinary membership advances research, provides professional and public education to shape practice and enhance patient outcomes, and partners with the device manufacturing community to bring about evidence-based innovations in vascular access. To learn more or join, visit www.joinAVAnow.com

Adhezion Biomedical, LLC is a privately held medical device company based in Wyomissing, PA. Adhezion is committed to developing and manufacturing medical cyanoacrylate products used in the treatment of wound closure, wound management, intravenous device securement and infection prevention. To learn more about Adhezion and its products, please visit www.adhezion.com.