September 30, 2022 – B. Braun Medical, together with the Association for Vascular Access (AVA), announced the launch of The Fundamentals of Peripheral IV Access eLearning Program©. This robust eLearning curriculum consists of multiple comprehensive certificate courses focusing on the basic, intermediate and advanced concepts in vascular access and improving patient outcomes. The curriculum also includes a course focused specifically on pediatric and neonatal peripheral intravenous insertion and care.
In national surveys of healthcare schools and hospitals, it was identified that foundational education focused on the insertion and care of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) was inconsistent and deficient. In 2020, AVA and B. Braun formed a long-term collaboration to address the gap in education and help deliver a better patient experience. Together the organizations have developed a comprehensive eLearning curriculum available free of charge to universities and healthcare schools in the U.S. and internationally.
Peripheral vascular access is the most common invasive procedure performed in healthcare. It is estimated that 380 million PIVCs are sold in the United States annually. However, between 33 and 69 percent of PIVCs fail before the completion of treatment, and more than 50 percent of adults describe insertion as moderately painful or worse. Collectively, this can lead to serious implications for patients in areas such as length of stay and cost. Peripheral vascular harm was named to ECRI’s top 10 patient safety concerns in 2021. ECRI is an independent non-profit organization focused on healthcare quality, patient safety and evidence-based healthcare guidance.
Developing the Fundamentals of Peripheral IV Access eLearning Program© was a collaborative effort involving AVA, B. Braun and many subject matter experts who are part of the broader vascular access community. Healthcare professionals, educators and the broader industry worked diligently to create a curriculum to advance the standard of IV access care. In addition, the program production was led by The Clinician Exchange, an organization that brings together a robust community of clinicians and their expertise to support innovation and education.
As part of B. Braun’s commitment to infusion therapy leadership, the company recently acquired the innovative Clik-FIX© catheter securement device portfolio from Starboard Medical, Inc. The acquisition provides B. Braun with an industry-leading portfolio of catheter securement solutions. The AVA partnership and Clik-FIX acquisition support B. Braun’s Peripheral Advantage® program designed to optimize clinical skills, product performance, clinical outcomes and improve the patient’s overall experience with peripheral IV care in hospitals.