This certificate program is an introduction to and overview of vascular access (terminology and anatomy, devices and indications for use, potential complications, etc.) geared toward those who may work with patients with VA devices, but are not eligible for VA-BC™ certification. In order to develop the highest quality content, we are asking volunteers to indicate which topics best align with their areas of expertise.
Topics to be covered include:
- Overview - Types of Vascular Access uses (Shift thinking to preserving veins, not just access)
- Recognizing what can be done upon admission/in the ER that will best get a patient through their hospital stay.
- Types of treatments that also benefit from VA expertise
- When a vascular access device is the best option for patient care
- Significance of vein preservation to maintain access over a patient’s lifetime
- Patient and Clinician Safety
- Signs of infection
- Signs of infiltration
- Long-term consequences of repeated venous access
- Signs of venous depletion
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Hand hygiene
- Aseptic techniques
- Transmission-Based precautions (exposures)
- Patient Education and Advocacy
- Patient education for patients with VA devices
- Care of patients with VA devices
- Best Practices
- Recognizing what a well-placed line looks like
- Appropriate vein selection
- Selecting the most appropriate device for the patient and situation
- Understanding the impact of caustic medications
- Catheter to vessel ratio – understanding that bigger is not better
- Legal Aspects
- Scope of practice
- Informed consent
- Documentation in the Healthcare Record