INS Infusion Room

Nearly 20 nursing specialty organizations representing more than 700,000 nurses have joined together to promote advance care planning (ACP), encouraging nurses to lead by example and establish their own advance care plan. Although most nurses are familiar with ACP, many do not have a plan in place. Listen as JoAnne Reifsnyder, the chair of Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association’s ACP work group...

Immunoglobulin (Ig) is an indispensable therapy used to treat a variety of autoimmune, immunodeficiency, hematologic, and other disorders. Ig is a plasma-derived therapy that originates with healthy human donors. Production of Ig can take up to 12 months from the time plasma is donated to the time the product is released to market. Forecasting availability of Ig is complicated by the lengthy produ...

As changes in health care venues and chronicity continue to shape the landscape for nursing, what does the nurse’s role look like for the future? The National Academy of Medicine’s report and update on the Future of Nursing 2020 – 2030 suggests opportunities for nurses and ways our profession can contribute to advancing the profession. Join this discussion on advancing the profession of nursing in...

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI) are a group of more than 350 rare, chronic disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or functions improperly. There are approximately 250,000 people who are diagnosed with PI in the United States. People with PI can face frequent health problems and often develop serious and debilitating illnesses. Years ago, a diagnosis of a PI meant ext...

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention efforts in the acute care setting have reduced national CLABSI rates by 50% over the past 20 years. This increase in patient safety in acute care settings is commendable; however, in the home infusion setting, there is currently no standardized definition for CLABSI, no reporting mechanism, or mandatory reporting required for CLABSI...

Sickle cell disease is a family of blood disorders that affects the hemoglobin molecule in red blood cells, and impacts approximately 80,000 individuals in the United States. It’s the most common inherited blood disorder in this country, affecting 1 in 500 African Americans and 1 in 1000-1400 Hispanic Americans. In sickle cell disease, the hemoglobin molecules are atypical and change into a cresce...

Hope Charities is a non-profit organization established to be a conduit of hope, strength, and resources for individuals and families facing crisis caused by a chronic illness. Hope Charities helps support families by connecting them to resources and counseling, and also helps them navigate financial assistance programs. “Facing a chronic illness can be a long uphill battle that can feel cold and...

Professional boundaries are the spaces between the nurses’ power and the patients’ vulnerability. In all relationships between health care professionals and patients, there is an imbalance of power. Health care professionals have in-depth access to patients’ sensitive personal information and that puts the professional in a position of power. It is important for health care professionals to unders...

Caring for the caregiver is often a discounted aspect of health care. Nurses pour out their compassion, strength, abilities, and expertise on behalf of their patients, yet often, their own personal health and well-being is neglected. This focus track is dedicated to building strong nurses and strong practice. Join our podcast host, Dawn Berndt, and guests Marlene Steinheiser and Susan Weaver to le...

Invasive clinical procedures pose infection risks for patients in all care settings. It is imperative that health care workers employ standardized practice protocols for all invasive procedures. INS podcast guests Stephen Rowley and Simon Clare will discuss the importance of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT®) and will share their work with the Association for Safe Aseptic Practice. Discuss the in...

Invasive clinical procedures pose infection risks for patients in all care settings. It is imperative that health care workers employ standardized practice protocols for all invasive procedures. INS podcast guests Stephen Rowley and Simon Clare will discuss the importance of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) and will share their work with the Association for Safe Aseptic Practice. Learn about the...

Invasive clinical procedures pose infection risks for patients in all care settings. It is imperative that health care workers employ standardized practice protocols for all invasive procedures. INS podcast guests Stephen Rowley and Simon Clare will discuss the importance of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) and will share their work with the Association for Safe Aseptic Practice. Noticing variab...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neuromuscular disease, affects 30,000 people in the United States where at least 5000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Individuals with ALS are now living longer primarily due to new research, promising treatment, and disease advocacy initiatives. Listen in as Nancy Frates, INS 2019 keynote speaker, shares her personal family story and experienc...

Even when the most diligent bedside nurse is following SPC assessment protocols, infiltration or extravasation may still occur. This podcast will discuss the various causes of infiltration, and how these events are often based on patient factors such as age, vessel health, and infusate characteristics rather than the result of improper SPC placement. To ensure optimal patient care, infusion nurses...

Infusion nurses manage care for patients of all ages and in all care settings. Many have multiple therapeutic needs, including mental health care. A holistic nursing approach is important when managing care for patients with mental health conditions. Listening attentively, asking open-ended questions, practicing presence of self, and developing therapeutic relationships are essential elements of p...

Would you like to learn more about how you can validate your nursing competencies in infusion practice? What’s a “solution room”? Are you interested in speaking at an upcoming educational seminar at INS? Or are you thinking about attending INS’ national conference—INS 2019—in Baltimore in May? Listen in as INS leaders discuss all of these topics and more and discover what’s new in 2019.

INS’ most recognized publication, the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (the Standards) has long provided the framework that guides clinical practice. The Standards are used to define and develop organizational infusion-based policies and procedures for all practice settings. The revision process for the next edition of the Standards is now underway. The revision team is comprised of infusion...

Have you ever thought about improving the health of people by extending and sharing your nursing knowledge and expertise through service on boards? Imagine the impact you could have serving on a nonprofit or a corporate board. INS is helping place nurses on nonprofit, corporate, and government boards, panels, and commissions through the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC). NOBC’s mission is to impro...

Influenza, often referred to as the flu, is a virus that affects the respiratory tract. In the United States, the flu season has begun and it will end in the spring. Easily transmitted by droplet and airborne routes, the flu has an abrupt onset and may induce various complications, especially in high-risk populations. There are several ways to reduce the risk of becoming infected with the flu, inc...

The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) established the Gardner Foundation to provide scholarships for INS members who are dedicated to advancing the delivery of quality infusion therapy, enhancing the specialty through stringent standards of practice and professional ethics, and promoting research and education in the infusion specialty. INS awards more than $30,000 in scholarships every year and recip...

Bleeding disorders affect thousands of children in the United States, and practitioners face multiple challenges in their management and treatment. Effective nursing care for patients with bleeding disorders requires that nurses understand the pathophysiology of the disease, recognize those who present in crisis, and possess the ability to manage acute complications aggressively. This podcast will...

Early detection and treatment of gout is significant for reducing the risk of complications. When left untreated, gout can affect other organs and body parts causing irreversible joint damage, joint deformity, loss of mobility or range of motion, bone loss, tophi, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, or kidney failure. This third and final podcast on demystifying gout will explore options aimed...

The overall prevalence of gout in the United States is about 4 percent. Gout is more frequent as individuals age, and men experience the disease more often than women. Comorbidities, such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorders, and hypocholesteremia, can increase the risk of gout. Both heredity and diet may also affect prevalence. Part 2 of this 3-part series wi...

Gout is a relatively common form of inflammatory arthritis that causes periods of painful swelling in joints. Although it is similar in many ways to rheumatoid arthritis, it is not an autoimmune disease, but rather a metabolic disorder. In this, the first of 3 podcasts on demystifying gout, the pathophysiology of gout, population prevalence, and the role diet plays in gouty arthritis will be discu...

According to the Pew Research Center, 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65 every day. It is predicted that by 2060, the number of those 85 years of age and older will more than triple. To meet the needs of this burgeoning population, it is essential that nurses be knowledgeable about best practices for geriatric patients. Some important aspects of best practices include how aging changes can in...