Why has the need for infusion therapy increased in the Indian scenario?
More than 90 per cent hospitalised patients receive infusion therapy today. Increased patient flow is the ground reason behind this which in turn is fuelled by patient awareness of getting treated an early stage to prevent further complications, the availability of safe therapy, wider acceptance of infusion therapy for treatment, urge to get well sooner, improvement in the hospital infrastructure and advancement in medical practice, etc.
What are some of the risks associated with unsafe infusion practices?
The various risks associated with unsafe infusions include:
- Infections related to contamination of infusate or contaminated infusion delivery equipments,etc.
- Allergic reaction
- Transmission of dreaded infections like HIV,HBV, HCV,etc. to patients as well as healthcare workers.
- Needle stick injuries to healthcare workers
- Exposure to chemotherapeutic medications, etc.
What are the goals and aims that Infusion nurses society(INS) has set for itself?
Globally there are various bodies like the INS-US, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). that have contributed greatly in having uniform and right practices. We aim to set standards for infusion care, by developing and disseminating standards of practice, providing professional development opportunities and quality education, advancing the speciality through evidence-based practice and research, supporting professional certification and advocating for the public, all this in alignment with the vision and mission of the Infusion Nurses Society of US.
What is the current awareness level amongst nurses and healthcare professionals on infusion therapy?Are nurses trained for such a procedure?
Though all the healthcare professionals are aware of Infusion therapy, very few actually are aware of best practices/latest guidelines. The nurses get only basic training in infusion procedures during their training, but majority learn the actual practices in the clinical areas such as handling of central lines, arterial lines, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines etc. The curriculum needs to be audited in order to make sure that the next generation is equipped with the right education. Hospital and training institutes need to gear up to address this challenge.
How do you plan to train professionals in such techniques?
In an ideal scenario we will want all the nurses across the country to have enhanced knowledge and skills, by designing training programs in accordance with standard practices, that will focus on improving practices and better patient outcome. We shall also look at partnership with hospitals and healthcare industry, who are trying to achieve similar objectives. High attrition in corporate sector is a challenge with nurses moving on every 1.5 years to foreign countries, or government sectors. We are also liaisoning with Indian Nursing Council, to give some recognition to IV nurses so that when they re-register after five years, they get credits and get re-registered with state nursing councils.
What practices in particular do nurses need to be trained in?
These include, techniques for intra venous device insertion-which include site selection, securing of IV, right size cannula etc., management of invasive lines like central, arterial, PICC lines, reconstitution and administration of medications like antibiotics, chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), PPN etc., blood and blood product transfusion, infection control practices and preventing and managing complications.
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