Vascular access device (VAD) selection is a complex and evolving part of infusion therapy practice. The key foundational concept to VAD selection is vessel health and preservation, selecting the optimal VAD that will support administration of required infusion therapy while maintaining patient safety. It includes 4 basic segments: patient specific assessment and appropriate VAD selection, skilled clinician VAD insertion, VAD management to promote positive outcomes, and analyzing organizational data to identify areas for improvement. The choice of the correct VAD for placement is reliant on thorough understanding of VAD and infusate characteristics within the context of the individual patient’s condition and infusion therapy requirements. This session will review the risks and benefits of VAD options, the infusate components that increase injury risk, then apply those criteria to promote patient safety through to a case-based discussion from various clinical settings.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:

•    Describe characteristics of peripheral and central vascular access devices through risk/analysis perspective

•    Identify infusate components that increase the risk of patient injury

•    Apply VAD and infusate characteristics in a case scenario format to optimize patient safety

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2

Intravascular catheters are among the most frequently used medical devices in healthcare. Their widespread use—across millions of insertions, access procedures, and maintenance events—significantly increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections.  

The purpose of this presentation is to provide a framework that vascular access team (VAT) members can use to reduce the risk of post-insertion infections associated with vascular access devices (VADs). Recent U.S. and international infection prevention (IP) research highlights a growing number of emerging issues and recommended interventions relevant to vascular access teams (VATs). These include hand hygiene adherence, proper use of personal protective equipment, and environmental exposure risks such as contaminated sinks.  

New federal legislation on hospital-onset bacteremia has expanded prevention efforts to all VADs, not just central lines. Additional focus areas include defining core components of infection risk mitigation, gaining leadership support, and optimizing catheter placement to reduce infection. Advances in antimicrobial dressings, blood culture contamination reduction, and updated IP strategies for peripheral IVs are also emphasized.  

Finally, monitoring post-insertion care with attention to bundle compliance remains a key priority. A review of emerging IP issues will inform necessary updates to VAD clinical practice protocols. These revisions aim to enhance patient safety by strengthening infection prevention across assessment, insertion, and maintenance practices. 

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

• Summarize the emerging IP issues that will influence VAD practice. 
• Summarize new peer-reviewed studies and expert guideline recommendations that impact VAD practice. 
• Reproduce a listing of emerging IP intervention considerations that reflect recent research findings. 

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2

Catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CABSI) prevention has traditionally focused on 2 primary routes: skin flora migration along the catheter (extraluminal) and contamination introduced through the hub (intraluminal). Yet a third pathway—gross “outside-in” contamination from environmental or body fluids—remains underrecognized and largely absent from current infection-prevention (IP) bundles. The “What is Missing” concept addresses this overlooked pathway, taking a closer look at targeted interventions. This session examines the evidence for this neglected route, its clinical consequences, and the procedural vulnerabilities that permit it. This presentation highlights the urgent need to address this gap in protection and will review practical solutions for clinicians in all settings. Integrating these strategies into vascular access practices supports a systems-based approach to improve infection control to close the gap between ideal protocols and real-world practice. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

• Identify the 3 primary routes of CABSI, including the underrecognized “outside-in” contamination pathway 
• Analyze real-world evidence and case data to determine the role of gross environmental contamination in the development of CABSI 
• Evaluate the limitations of current infection prevention practices and technologies in addressing visible contamination of vascular access components 
• Recommend practical, system-based interventions to reduce the risk of catheter-related infections in clinical practice 

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) vasopressor administration is increasingly used to expedite the treatment of sepsis when central venous access is not immediately available. National guidelines now support short-term peripheral administration of vasopressors in adults. This session will review a multi-hospital health care system study of PIVC vasopressor use focusing on both a retrospective chart review as well as qualitative exploration of nurses’ perspectives on guideline implementation. Findings highlight the importance of adhering to standardized guidelines to minimize complications from peripheral vasopressor use and emphasize nurses’ key role in safe implementation. Evidence supports the safe use of peripheral vasopressors when guided by evidence-based guidelines and underscores the need for prospective, multicenter research to refine best practices and inform national standards. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

1. Describe the key components of national guidelines for peripheral vasopressor administration in adult sepsis patients 
2. Explain the relationship between adherence to peripheral vasopressor guidelines and the occurrence of complications 
3. Discuss frontline nurses’ perspectives and confidence levels in administering vasopressors through PIVCs and identify strategies to improve practice adherence 

Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2

More information coming soon...

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection and a leading cause of death and costly hospitalizations in the United States, disproportionately affecting older adults. This presentation will explore differences between community- and hospital-acquired sepsis, its pathophysiology, and the physical and cognitive challenges survivors often face. Through case examples and educational resources from a sepsis nurse expert, attendees will gain tools to raise awareness, recognize early signs, and improve patient outcomes across the continuum of care. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

• Describe the incidence, mortality, and cost burden of sepsis, differentiating between community-acquired and hospital-acquired cases 

• Explain the pathophysiology of sepsis, including its progression from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock, and identify early signs and symptoms 

• Discuss the impact of sepsis on vulnerable populations, especially older adults, including long-term functional, cognitive, and psychological effects 

• Analyze the role of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in sepsis and evaluate prevention strategies to reduce infection risk 

• Apply sepsis screening tools and care bundles in clinical practice while identifying resources and strategies to empower patients, caregivers, and health care professionals in sepsis awareness, prevention, and management  

Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2

Intravenous smart pumps (IVSPs) have become indispensable tools in modern infusion therapy, supporting nurses in accurate and safe medication delivery. Despite their ubiquity in United States hospitals, IVSP data, which may include alarms, alerts, keystrokes, and infusion status, remain an underutilized resource for nursing-led quality improvement. This presentation explores how IVSP data can illuminate gaps in clinical practice and support nursing-driven interventions to improve safety and efficiency. This session will demonstrate how nursing perspectives are essential in interpreting IVSP data, advocate for nurse access to data platforms, and highlight opportunities for real-time problem solving that bridges technology and patient care. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

1. Explain how infusion pump data is collected and interpreted, including distinctions between alerts and alarms 
2. Describe a real-world example of how nursing interpretation of IVSP data informed clinical practice changes or system-level enhancements at a large academic medical center 
3. Identify at least 2 types of infusion pump data nurses can use to improve practice 
4. Discuss strategies to increase nursing engagement with infusion pump analytics and vendor partnerships 

Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2

Patients with hypercoagulable conditions present unique challenges for vascular access clinicians. Choosing the most appropriate vascular access device (VAD) requires balancing infusion therapy needs, vessel health preservation, and minimizing thrombosis risk. This session will explore hypercoagulable disease states, such as cancer-associated thrombosis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and inherited thrombophilias, and discuss how each impacts device selection, dwell time, and maintenance practices. Attendees will review current evidence, clinical guidelines, and case scenarios that highlight the intersection of pathophysiology, device choice, and patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

• Identify common hypercoagulable disease states encountered in infusion and vascular access practice 

• Analyze how hypercoagulability influences the risk profile for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), midline catheters, ports, and tunneled catheters 

• Apply evidence-based strategies to guide VAD selection and management for patients with elevated thrombotic risk 

• Integrate risk-mitigation approaches into patient education, insertion practices, and ongoing device maintenance 

Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) requires long-term vascular access through central venous catheters or implanted ports. Recent meta-analytic evidence in young patients demonstrated significant psychological effects, including elevated anxiety, depression, and body image disturbances. However, lived experiences and coping strategies of adult HPN patients remain inadequately understood, limiting targeted psychosocial support development. This session will illustrate findings to inform targeted psychosocial screening tools and intervention protocols, contributing to evidence-based guidelines for interdisciplinary HPN care teams emphasizing psychological well-being alongside clinical management. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

1. Identify the key psychological impacts of long-term vascular access devices in home parenteral nutrition patients, including anxiety, depression, body image disturbances, and social functioning concerns based on current meta-analytic evidence 
2. Assess patients for signs of psychological distress related to vascular access devices using evidence-based screening approaches and recognize when referral to mental health professionals is warranted 
3. Implement patient-centered communication strategies that address psychological concerns about vascular access devices, including techniques for discussing body image, lifestyle modifications, and coping strategies with HPN patients 
4. Develop individualized psychosocial support plans for HPN patients with vascular access devices, incorporating peer support resources, family education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize psychological well-being and treatment adherence 

Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2

Peripheral intravenous infiltrations and extravasations (PIVIEs) remain a significant source of preventable harm, patient distress, and healthcare cost, especially in pediatric settings, where families often cite intravenous (IV) starts and failures as the most stressful part of a hospitalization. With over 80% of hospitalized patients requiring a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC), proactive prevention strategies are essential. This session introduces and discusses the P.O.K.E. initiative (Previous PIVIE, Oral transition, Keep it, Educate PIV plan to family and team), a structured communication tool designed to reduce PIVIE rates through interdisciplinary collaboration and family engagement.  

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

• Understand the complications associated with PIVIE and their impact on the child, the family, and the health care system 
• Identify evidence-based tools for the prevention of PIVIE 
• Evaluate current PIVIE prevention strategies implemented to determine alignment with evidence-based best practices and identify opportunities for improvement 
• Recognize key risk factors that contribute to its occurrence in pediatric patients 

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2