Changes to Vascular Access Clinical Standards

Vascular Access Clinical Standards have been updated to reflect 2011 CDC guidelines; effective March 2012. In an effort to standardize central vascular device care between the neonatal and pediatric communities, patient care types, and care locations, the standards were revised to reflect current evidence based cares in intravenous therapy, infection prevention, and skin integrity maintenance. The updated five clinical standards include: Care of the non-tunneled vascular device, Care of the tunneled vascular device: Hickman and Broviac catheters, Implanted port care, Pediatric PICC lines, and Peripheral IV insertion.

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A new Pediatric/Neonatal Emergency Medication Manual is now available to order from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

The Institute of Safe Medication Practices promotes strategies to reduce errors including promoting the detection and correction of errors before they reach a patient and cause harm. Use of cognitive aids, such as the “PALS algorithm card” and medication manuals with weight-based dosing assist in the management of various tasks during high stress events in an effort to decrease error. The Children’s Medication Manual, with pediatric dosing on one side, and neonatal dosing on the other, is designed specifically for this purpose.

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