MidWest Vascular Access

This made us laugh outloud.
Enjoy your day.

Did you get your copy of THE rulebook?

For all the DONs and NPs that need to hear this: You do NOT have the authority to override a Nephrologist’s order regarding a renal patient, or any patient.

Congrats to our hometown team!

If your provider no longer answers their phone, we can help! MidWest Vascular's services are available through almost all mobile radiology groups, as well as infusion pharmacies.
So, CALL US! (913) 593-9557

As nurses, we must advocate for what is best for our patients. Always.

Due to staffing shortages and illness, MWVA is unable to provide services 12/3-12/6.
Photo credit: .

The 2021 published "Standards of Practice", Standard 45.3, states: intravascular devices should not be removed based solely on how long they have been in place, siting "there is no known optimal dwell time" (Infusion Nurses Society, 2021). This is a change from the decades-old recommendations to rotate sites every 72-96 hours. Is your facility updated?

Due to an unexpected event requiring travel, MidWest Vascular will have very restricted service August 6th & 7th. All patient needs that can wait, will be promptly provided Monday AM.
-Michelle Lingenfelser

Dear Valued Customers,

Like so many of you, MidWest Vascular Access has struggled with finding qualified, professional staff since the pandemic lured many registered nurses into lucrative travel nursing. We continue to advertise and interview, looking for prospective employees that meet or exceed our expectations; often to no avail. I am personally committed to rebuilding our clinical team in 2022, and I am beginning to receive an increase in inquiries for employment. I look forward to an end to this staffing crisis.

In the meantime, I will be out of town Wednesday, 6/22, through Monday, 6/27, and no other team member is able to cover in my absence.

A lesser known fact about me, is that I race on Team USA in Triathlon. 2022 is my fifth year to earn a spot on the team, representing the United States in the Triathlon World Championships. I will be racing in Montreal, Canada, next week. I share this information, only because I think it is important for you to understand this is the reason for my lack of availability this upcoming week.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I will promptly return phone calls and tend to patient requests immediately upon my return. I have tentative plans to begin training a new team member within four weeks, so I do hope this is the last time MWVA will ever have a lapse in coverage. We will also begin offering night coverage again soon.

Sincerely,
Michelle Lingenfelser
Chief Nursing Officer

MidWest Vascular Access is hiring full-time day, night, and weekend staff. Applicants must be RNs with a minimum of 3 yrs experience as an RN, and experience in critical care or emergency medicine. Send resumes to [email protected].

Be kind to one another. 💕

MidWest Vascular Access updated their info in the about section.

When a patient is confused and pulling-out their IVs, placing an intravenous catheter that makes a bigger hole is not the answer. Midlines and PICCs are neither sutured or cuffed. It will take a confused, pulling patient 0.2 seconds longer to rip-out their midline or PICC, it will make a much bigger, bloody mess, and it could potentially tear significant, deep vessels. (Of course, I have no scientific study on that total time, but trust me that it still comes out). Mitts, restraints, sitters, alternate methods of delivery, or an honest consideration of quality of life may be indicated. If IV therapy is to be continued, replacing peripheral IVs is your safest choice.

MidWest Vascular Access updated their address.

Due to the industry-wide staffing shortage, between the hours of 7 PM to 7 AM, MidWest Vascular can only respond to requests for patients who are critically ill (in ICU) with no IV access. All other vascular access needs will be addressed first thing the following morning. Thank you for your understanding.

Happy Memorial Day. May we never forget those that gave everything for our freedom.

MidWest Vascular Access is redesigning the clinical team, focused on expertise, accountability, and professionalism. If you are interested in joining our team, please email your résumé or curriculum vitae to: [email protected].

Drawing blood cultures for a patient with a central venous catheter:
1. Remove the needleless connector/s (aka injection cap).
2. Disinfect the end of the catheter lumen/s.
3. For culture, send the first draw; no discard.
4. Draw from each lumen, keep separate, and label precisely.
5. Draw blood for culture from a peripheral vein at the same time.
HOW TO INTERPRET RESULTS: The catheter is positive if the catheter samples are positive 2 hours before the peripheral (time to positivity), or the colony count is 3 times that of the peripheral samples.

The chain of infection is made up of six links: pathogen (infectious agent), reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and the new host. Each link has a unique role in the chain, and each can be interrupted, or broken, through various means. The chain of infection can be broken at any point.

The Infusion Nurses Society publishes the Standards of Practice that govern everything related to vascular access device insertion, care, maintenance, use, & removal, as well as infusion, transfusion, pumps, filters, & tubing. Every RN utilizing any IV device and infusing should know these Standards; they are THE Standards to which you will be held accountable. Join this incredibly resourceful organization before the end of the year, and you’ll receive the 2021 publication free for being a member.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/937855?src=mkm_covid_update_200922_mscpedit_&uac=80892HV&impID=2580976&faf=1

Most N95 Masks Imported From China Fail to Meet US Standards Imported N95-style masks may not provide the same level of protection as certified models, raising the risk of contracting COVID-19 for healthcare providers and patients.

Don’t forget to laugh today.

Current Coronavirus statistics for Kansas:
288 deaths/20,058 + cases = 1.4% death rate.
That’s a decrease in the death rate from one week ago, when it was 1.7%.

Kansas SARS-CoV-2 stats as of today:
17,618 + cases. 282 deaths. Death rate 1.6%.
190,864 negative tests. 208,482 tested.
*As of May 7th, confirmed and probable cases are included in the case total.