The total impact the VAT has on cost is difficult to measure, as bedside PICC placement allows IR to accommodate patients for other higher acuity procedures in a timely manner. The placement of a bedside PICC also has the potential to reduce inpatient LOS if awaiting IR availability for the PICC placement is avoided. Additionally, the cost savings in the outpatient setting is difficult to measure as VAT availability improves throughput in high volume areas (such as pre-operative or pre-procedural areas) to ensure timely procedures, as well as avoids unnecessary cancelations of appointments, such as diagnostic tests or infusion appointments, due to difficult access issues. At Froedtert Hospital, the VAT places an average of 4,000 outpatient IVs thus ensuring these 4,000 appointments do not need to be cancelled or rescheduled.
TOTAL VAT FTE RN FTE
HUC FTE
22.7
2.8
The most recent developments on our team include the approval of 3.1 additional FTE’s including adding two RNs to day shift Monday through Friday with staggered start times between 0600 and 0830, an additional evening RN Monday through Friday and an additional night shift RN. During the weekend, staffing is downgraded 2-3 RN staff as call volume generally is slightly lower due to clinics being closed. We also have a new centrally located office on the campus customized to our team’s needs with our clinical
nurse educator’s office being in close proximity to the rest of the staff, as well as a supply and equipment room designed for our unique needs. Additionally, because of an increase in volume and best practice guidelines, seven new ultrasound machines were purchased in 2021 for peripheral access, providing exceptional ultrasound image quality to decrease nerve injury risk and increase first-stick success rate. This upcoming year we anticipate the addition of hand-held electronic devices to assist in coordination of calls, uploading images to the electronic health record, documentation and chart review. Finally, several VAT RNs are working towards an IRB research proposal. The continued growth and support of our team from the highest levels in the organization is a testament to the quality of care, cost-savings, and value we continue to bring to the enterprise. We are proud of our past 20 years and look forward to the next 20 years of improving vascular access care for our patients.
REFERENCES 1 Jennifer Bartowitz, BSN, RN, VA-BC™ is a Vascular Access Nurse at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 2 Carolyn Maidl-Putz, MSN, RN, NE-BC is the Nurse Manager of Critical Care Resource Pool & the Vascular Access Team at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3 Sarah White, MD, MS, FSIR is a Professor of Radiology and Surgical Oncology in the Vascular & Interventional Radiology Department at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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