Happy New Year! This year's commencement brings with it new beginnings and also the opportunity to commemorate a lifetime of accomplishment. As I submit my first editorial column, I am mindful of the rich legacy of infusion knowledge and publication expertise that precedes me in this role. It is a tremendous honor to be the successor to Mary Alexander, MA, RN, CRNI(R), CAE, FAAN, as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Infusion Nursing (JIN).
In this issue of JIN, we address 4 clinical practice challenges: (1) midline catheter complications, (2) blood collection via a peripheral intravascular catheter (PIVC) during hospitalization, (3) pain management during needle removal of implanted ports, and (4) hemolysis. Each of these topics is clinically relevant, and we appreciate the studies conducted and the authors who have shared their expertise and described their work.
In the articleIncidence of Midline Catheter Complications Among Hospitalized Patients, authors conducted research to describe the occurrence and effect of midline catheter complications in hospitalized patients. Swan et al reported, "Among midline catheters inserted in the hospital for adult patients, complications occurred in 38%, and failure due to a complication occurred in 16%." Findings in this study indicated the most common causes of midline catheter failure were infiltration/extravasation, accidental removal, and catheter-related thrombosis. Understanding the implications of midline catheter complication and failure is a vital aspect of clinical practice to ensure patient safety.
Psaila et al designed a study to "evaluate the blood aspiration capabilities of PIVCs over their dwell time in a medical/surgical inpatient population." Their research is presented in Prospective Study Evaluating Whether Standard Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Can Be Used for Blood Collection Throughout Hospital Stay. The authors discuss the necessity of laboratory results obtained from blood collection that facilitates inpatient clinical management juxtaposed to the challenges of venipuncture, vessel depletion, and increased risk of needlestick injury for clinicians. The results of this well-designed study may modify our perception about blood collection via a PIVC.
In Effects of Cold Therapy on Pain and Anxiety During Needle Removal From Implanted Ports, authors Bahar et al sought to evaluate the effectiveness of cold therapy on pain and anxiety associated with needle removal of implanted ports in patients with cancer. Noting that nearly 96% of patients with cancer experience pain during port needle insertion and removal procedures and 22% of patients experience anxiety before needle insertion, the authors asserted the necessity and value of using pain management measures to mitigate the effects of procedural pain for patients with cancer.
Cook provides a substantive informational piece in The Many Faces of Hemolysis. In this instructive article, Cook takes the reader through an examination of antibody production, the complement system, and hemolysis, then concludes with characteristics of various hemolytic disorders and a listing of blood group antigen systems. She concludes, "Understanding how the body handles cell injury in different diseases and red cell disorders can help a practitioner recognize hemolysis following blood transfusion."
This year we celebrate the 46th year of the Journal of Infusion Nursing. As clinical researchers continue to pursue challenging issues and design thoughtful studies that inform practice and contribute to the body of knowledge of infusion therapy, JIN will remain the premier publication of the Infusion Nurses Society. We respectfully submit these articles for your enrichment.
I wish each of you Happy IV Nurse Day on January 25 and sincerely wish for the best in your personal and professional lives in the year ahead.