JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021INSIDER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 5 Read an Interview with Donald Connors INFUSION NURSES SOCIETY Learn about the Fall Virtual Symposium Listen to a DEI Task Force Member From Dreams to Divans: Planning, Designing, and Implementing a New Pediatric Infusion and Sedation Center
INSider encourages the submission of articles, press releases, and other materials for editorial consideration, which are subject to editing and/or condensation. Such submissions do not guarantee publication. If you are interested in contributing to INSider, please contact the INS Publications Department. Photos become the property of INSider; return requests must be in writing. INSider is an official bimonthly publication of the Infusion Nurses Society. ©2022 Infusion Nurses Society, Inc. All rights reserved. For information contact: INS Publications Department One Edgewater Drive, Suite 209 Norwood, MA 02062 (781) rachel.king@ins1.org440-9408 INSIDER THE OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP NEWS PUBLICATION OF INFUSION NURSES SOCIETY FUSION NURSES SOCIETY INS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2022-2023 PRESIDENT Max Holder, MSN, RN, CRNI®, NE-BC, VA-BC PRESIDENT-ELECT Inez Nichols, DNP, FNP-BC, CRNI®, VA-BC PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR Sue Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI®, NEA-BC SECRETARY/TREASURER Joan Couden, BSN, RN, CRNI® DIRECTORS-AT LARGE Nancy Bowles, MHA, RN, OCN®, CRNI®, NEA-BC, CPC, CHONC Pamela McIntyre, MSN, RN, CRNI®, IgCN, OCN® PUBLIC MEMBER Lisa M. Ong, CPA, PCC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mary Alexander, MA, RN, CRNI®, CAE, FAAN INS STAFF Chief Executive Officer: Mary Alexander, MA, RN, CRNI®, CAE, FAAN Executive Vice President: Chris Hunt Director of Operations and Member Services: Maria Connors, CAE Director of Publications and Educational Design: Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI® Marketing Manager: Whitney Wilkins Hall Editorial Production Coordinator: Rachel King Associate Managing Editor: Michael Miller Director of Clinical Education: Marlene Steinheiser, PhD, RN, CRNI® Senior Member Services & Conference Coordinator: Jill Cavanaugh Meetings Manager: Meghan Trupiano, CMP Certification Administrator: Darlene Leuschke Senior Certification & Member Services Associate: Maureen Fertitta Member Services Associate: Susan Richberg Bookkeeper: Cheryl Sylvia INFUSION NURSES SOCIETY
In this Issue 22115314151819232511 President’s Message: Specialty Certification: A Way to Tell Others You Are an Expert by Max Holder, MSN, RN, CRNI®, NE-BC, VA-BC Cover Story: From Dreams to Divans: Planning, Designing, and Implementing a New Pediatric Infusion and Sedation Center by Melissa Williams, BSN, RN, EMT-B, CPN, CMTE Meet a Member of the Standards of Practice Committee Rachael Crickman, DNP, ARNP-CNS, AOCNS, OCN, RN Introducing the New INS Public Member Lisa M. Ong, CPA, PCC Guest Feature: An Interview with Donald Connors Welcome New INS Members: Domestic and International CRNI® Connection: An Interview with Darlene Leuschke INS Fall Virtual Symposium Infusion Medication Safety: Perspectives on Preventing Patient and Clinician Harm Membership Updates: New Professional Accomplishments The INS DEI Task Force Shares Their Stories Melanie Eld, PhD, RN, CNE
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is anticipated to grow by 9 percent annually through 2030, and 194,500 RN job openings are expected annually over the same period. However, the demand for health care service will increase exponentially due to the large number of older adults with chronic medical conditions.2 These statistics point to a shortage in nursing staff that health care will face over the coming decade.
Specialty certification in nursing has been identified as a top 10 nursing trend by Purdue University Global. After considering the anticipated nursing shortage over the coming years, Purdue cites specialty certification as a way patients and health care organizations understand the nurse’s knowledge and competence in a specific area of practice.1
With over 183 nursing certifications available, there are more opportunities than ever for nurses to specialize in areas of nursing practice.3 These specialty certifications speak to the nurse’s expertise in the area in which they are providing care.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE INSider3 Max Holder
Purdue University Global recommends two main factors that nurses should consider when choosing a professional practice certification: joy and passion.4 It goes without saying that if you love what you do and have a passion for it, you will have a more fulfilling career, boost your productivity, and enhance your performance. MSN, RN, CRNI®, NE-BC, VA-BC Specialty Certification: A Way to Tell Others You Are an Expert
Another offering from INS for CRNI® preparation is the CRNI® Academy which combines 4 of the previously cited resources and includes sample questions, flashcards, a personalized study plan, and intelligent gamification tools.5
If you have not taken the step of obtaining your CRNI® yet, what holds you back? Is it the time required to study and prepare?
It is true. To successfully pass the CRNI® examination, you will need to set aside time to study and prepare. While each individual learner approaches studying in different ways and time frames, many successful CRNI®s have pointed to months-long periods to adequately prepare for the CRNI® exam. I personally focused on the areas of infusion therapy that were not part of my day-to-day work as a vascular access nurse. Those included infection prevention, antineoplastics, biologics/immunologic, blood administration, and parenteral nutrition. In preparation to take the exam, I would suggest you determine the approach to studying that best suits your learning needs.
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1.References Top 10 Nursing Trends for 2022. March 15, 2022. Purdueglobal.edu. https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/nursing/top-10-nursing-trends/. Accessed July 17, 2022.
• Policies
• Core
INS offers resources to prepare for the CRNI® examination that include: CRNI® Study Guide and Practice Questions Curriculum for Infusion Nursing, 4th edition Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice Infusion Nursing: An Evidence Based Approach Policies and Procedures for Infusion Therapy, 5th edition and for Infusion Therapy the Older Adult, 3rd
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Does your organization provide financial support for seeking specialty certification? Many organizations provide a certification bonus once certification is attained, and others may provide a stipend up-front to help prepare for the certification exam. I would advise reading your organization’s specialty certification policy to see what is available. As far as keeping up with the continuing education, INS offers CRNI®s the ability to obtain the needed CRNI® recertification units by attending virtual conferences, which offsets the expense of live conference attendance.
If infusion nursing is your joy and passion, holding the CRNI® certification speaks to your dedication, your expertise, and your experience as an infusion nurse. If you have not yet taken advantage of sitting for the CRNI® examination, I encourage you to consider it now. This is one more opportunity for you to tell your patients, employers, and peers that you are the expert in the practice of infusion nursing.
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4. Choosing a Nursing Specialty: Guidance for New and Experienced Nurses. January 27, 2020. Purdueglobal.edu. https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/nursing/choosing-a-nursing-specialty/. Accessed July 17, 2022.
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2. Registered nurses: Job Outlook. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6. Accessed July 22, 2022.
5. Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation: About INCC. Ins1.org. https://www.ins1.org/crni-certification/information/general-information/. Accessed July 17, 2022. 4September/October 2022
3. Complete List of Common Nursing Certification. December 1, 2022. Nurse.org.https://nurse.org/articles/nursing-certifications-credentials-list/. Accessed July 17, 2022.
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Is it the financial obligation required to take the exam, and to keep up with the continuing education required to recertify?
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Procedures
The Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation offers the only specialty certification for infusion nurses, the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI®), and is nationally recognized and accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the American Board for Specialty Nursing Certification.5 Holding the CRNI® validates a nurse’s experience in the specialty of infusion therapy for patients, employers, and peers.
COVER STORY 5 INSider From Dreams to Divans: Planning, Designing, and Implementing a New Pediatric Infusion and Sedation Center by Melissa Williams, BSN, RN, EMT-B, CPN, CMTE
• How many patients were infused on inpatient units that could have been outpatient?
The next step was to develop a business case to build a new treatment center. The greatest need presented was the ability to care for infusion patients, so the business plan was focused on that population. We were charged to provide accurate data regarding current bedspace and staffing as well as document all approaches attempted to maximize square footage/capacity and staffing matrix. We needed to prove we had no other options. The following information was necessary to author a strong business plan:
Although infusion and sedation had little to no practice commonalities, the service lines complimented each other’s schedules: sedation is very busy in the morning, due to young patients having to be without food/drink; the sedation day wraps up around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The infusion center serves mostly school-aged children, and to decrease the time missed from school, the children often came in after-school for their infusions. The design to make the rooms versatile to house sedation patients in the morning and infusion patients in the afternoon made them a perfect pair. The plan to put the two service lines in the same unit was then put to the test (see Table 1).
• How many infusions/injections occurred in subspecialty offices that could have been administered in an infusion center, thereby increasing patient access in those offices?
In 2017, the sedation service line was managing about 2,500 patients annually. Their teams were split up and spread out; working out of a small room in radiology, pediatric anesthesia care units, inpatient annexes, emergency department fast track— wherever they could find space that day. The infusion center had 3 dedicated rooms in the hematology/oncology clinic to treat nononcology chronic disease patients, and in 2017, they managed 1,762 patient appointments in those 3 rooms. New patient referrals increased but due to limited space to provide care, many were unable to be accommodated and received infusions on inpatient units instead. It was time for these 2 service lines to operate from a dedicated space that would improve efficiency and accommodate the capacity to meet their growing patient care needs.
• Did any other departments interact with infusion/sedation?
At Akron Children’s Hospital, infusion services and sedation services originally provided patient care in another department’s dedicated space, but as both departments grew exponentially, they both needed a dedicated space to care for their patients.
• How long was the average appointment length?
• How many clinicians would be required to operate a new center in addition to the current staff? What would be required to operationalize this plan?
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• How many patients did we see in the last two years?
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• What were the space and equipment requirements?
The allotted space was an old emergency department, which was demolished while we began the next phase of planning. Three teams were assembled for the planning and development phase: a design team, to plan the layout and design of the new center; an operations team, to plan for future operations; and a leadership team, for high-level decision making.
These teams were comprised of professionals who perform a of a wide variety of roles to ensure we captured all necessary perspectives and ideas for this new center. Directors of operations, nurse managers, medical directors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, education coordinators, pharmacists, operational excellence leaders, biomedical managers, information technology specialists, and architects were the key stakeholders on these committees. We also recruited additional individuals to consult for other specific needs throughout the project.
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After answering these questions and gathering data for infusions administered in many places throughout the hospital system, we were able to determine the capacity requirements for a new center (see Table 2). Next, we took all this information and operationalized it, putting dollar figures to the new requirements. The formal business plan was presented to the executive leadership team for approval of capital funds to build a new center. The plan was presented and reviewed twice and was approved in fall of 2017 (see Table 3).
DMAIC is a process improvement methodology used to solve all sizes of problems. Define—what is the problem; measure— what is the gap between the current and ideal state; analyze—what are the causes/gaps; improve—what can we do to address the root cause of the problems; and control—how can we sustain the improvement.
A workshop with the design and operations teams was conducted to figure out the layout for the unit. A blank blueprint drawing, scaled to the correct square footage, with cutouts scaled to size for patient rooms, medication room, clean and dirty supply rooms, nutrition rooms, hallways, bathrooms, etc. were provided. We divided ourselves into two groups and, utilizing spaghetti diagrams and process maps, began laying out the most efficient patient unit. Then we took the two concepts created and discussed how to combine the two ideas for the best layout that made the most sense for flow, patient care, access, and efficiency. The final floor plan was created by the architect team from these sessions. Permission to re-print received from Hasenstab Architects
Designing a new space can be very intimidating. Utilizing the Lean Six Sigma techniques and DMAIC helped to make this part of the process much less onerous. We next took all our ideas and built mock-ups. We started with a mock patient room, bringing in all the equipment needed for patient care: a patient bed/infusion chair, monitor, IV pump, chairs for the family, bedside tables, etc. Moveable cardboard walls were erected around the medical equipment to allow us to move the walls in and out to determine the correct size for the patient room. Last steps were to take printouts of pictures of all the items needed on the walls, such as oxygen, air, suction, outlets, sharps containers, and hand-sanitizing dispensers, and to place those where it made the most sense. The architects then took pictures of how we set up the room to draw blueprints of the individual rooms.
We conducted site visits to other similar facilities. All team members were invited to the site visits to learn what implements and structures other organizations were using in their hospitals/centers and to identify best practices and/or things to avoid.
The teams visited 3 sites to garner ideas. We had weekly meetings for each team and a single SharePoint site to house all documents. We needed to get our teams on the same wavelength, so the operational excellence leader and I held a boot camp to kick off our group entitled “Lean Operations: Lean Design, Lean Construction: Building a Lean Hospital Facility” where we learned the Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control).
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Lean Six Sigma applies scientific problem solving and change engagement techniques to recognize and reduce waste in health care. These processes improve steps in order to improve patient care, quality of care, patient experience, and the work life of staff. These techniques can be used by all levels of staff from front line staff to administration.
If you intend to plan a new center, remember that the process—from requesting capital investment to opening your new unit—has many steps. Developing strong, diverse teams to design and operationalize the space is key to the success of building a new unit. Utilizing the Lean Six Sigma techniques and DMAIC will assist you in ensuring the space will be efficient and provide your team with the ability and flexibility to provide excellent patient care and patient experience for many years to come.
Outfitting the space with all the necessary equipment on the final blueprint was essential to the process of ensuring every space had what it needed to be functional. This included simple things like a clock in each room to the larger items like the crash cart. This very detailed process involved architects, as they understood the necessary code requirements for the space to be outfitted correctly to meet any inspection requirements. In the end, every item (eg.,trash can, soap dispenser, Xbox) was accounted for on the furniture, fixture, and equipment blueprints. Then, when the items began to arrive, the construction crew knew exactly where each item belonged.
Melissa Williams, BSN, RN, EMT-B, CPN, CMTE, has a variety of clinical and leadership experience: she started in pediatrics in 2001 in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where she spent many years as a bedside RN. She then joined the critical care transport team as a dedicated flight and ground transport RN, where she became the head flight nurse/clinical coordinator for the transport team. In 2014, she became the clinical operations manager of sedation service for Akron Children’s Hospital. In 2018, she brought nononcology infusion services under her umbrella and later led the business plan, design, and finally the build of a new unit. Melissa has a wealth of operational and leadership experience, is people-centered, and is dedicated to high-quality patient care.
Developing strong, diverse teams to design and operationalize the space is key to the success of building a new unit.
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Once the floor plan was determined, the operations and design teams began planning how patients would arrive and move through the units. We had to remember to take into consideration certain areas that must be put into a particular location—pneumatic tube systems, bathrooms, planning for future growth so patient rooms are not shut down during expansion, etc. We completed process mapping for large processes, such as the entire patient flow throughout the visit, as well as smaller processes, such as check-in/checkout. We asked many whys throughout the mapping process. As we worked through the process, spaghetti diagrams to test the floor plan ensured that the location of frequently used supplies and equipment were placed with efficiency in mind.
Utkarsh Acharya, DO, FACP Instructor in Medicine Harvard Medical School Attending Physician Immune Effector Cell Therapy Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Associate Physician Medical Oncology Brigham & Women’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts Nursing Pearls for PracticeIntoCARIntegratingT-CellTherapiesClinical NEW ACTIVITY Enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of nurses to safely integrate CAR T-cell therapies into clinical management of patients with hematologic malignancies. Faculty This program has been developed through the strategic partnership between the Infusion Nurses Society and Medscape Oncology. INFUSION NURSES SOCIETY Click to Access Free Activity
The final issue was on a Sunday. I had done a baseball clinic in the morning and early afternoon at the youth fields, then went to my son’s Babe Ruth practice in the late afternoon at which time I felt a fever coming on. I went home after practice and took to bed with chills and a 103 degree fever. I assumed it was another bout of the flu, but a day later my knee swelled up, and I thought that was weird. I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and they ran some blood work, and bingo—cancer. They confirmed it a couple days later with a bone marrow biopsy. In hindsight, as my wife and I looked back, a couple months prior I had had another bout of pneumonia—with night sweats—and I had almost passed out at the gym after coming out of a steam room. How did the diagnosis impact you and your family and/or friends?
Donald and Maria Connors
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It was a shock to everyone. I almost didn’t want to tell anyone. I of course played it all down and still do. The tough part is that everyone expects the worst so it was tough reassuring everyone that everything was going to be OK (as if I knew). Word trickled out to others eventually. Seeing me bald was a sign. What were your options for treatment? What kinds of treatment did you receive? How would you describe the process of receiving treatment? I really only remember a clinical trial being the key option. There were 2 arms to the trial. One was to harvest stem cells and to take a 3-drug cocktail of Velcade, Revlimid, and Dexamethasone. The other arm of the trial was to harvest stem cells, receive a stem cell transplant, and then receive a 3-drug cocktail: Velcade, Revlimid and Dexamethasone. I was quite happy with the path I went down. Of course, I wanted to avoid anything drastic. I’m still sort of in denial, I guess. I did opt to be part of an additional testing protocol, so when they took blood, they took extra. I never had an issue with students or any others that were making this their life’s work to be part of any conversations, testing, and/or procedures.
Initially, my wife and I were not on the best insurance plan, so the copays were mounting. Insurance providers don’t care if you have a cancer diagnosis. At this time, we had 2 kids in college and a 3rd looking at schools, and I remember applying for tuition assistance using medical costs as a reason for needing aid. My first year diagnosed the medical bills were almost $20,000 out of pocket. People often don’t think about the financial burden of cancer, they mostly think about beating it. Being on a trial most certainly kept the overall costs down. But even then, it added up. When my wife switched jobs and went to INS the insurance was much better. Now we just hit our deductible, and it is much more manageable.
The process of treatments was fairly smooth. Waiting for medications and the sign-off was always the toughest. Early on, I had a few days with vein access issues, but for most part you just get used to it. Before all this I was just taking a daily vitamin and could count on one hand the number of times I’d had blood taken.
An Interview with Donald Connors: From Diagnosis to Treatment
What is your diagnosis? When did you receive it? Multiple myeloma. I received it in May 2011. What symptoms were you having that prompted you to go to the doctor?
How would you describe working with your insurance provider throughout this process?
Family, friends, and enjoying life. Also knowing that if this regimen of treatment stops working, there are more options in the pipeline.
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Certain medications impacted sleep, eating, and physical appearance. Fatigue, digestive issues, and neuropathy were probably the toughest—and still are. Work wasn’t impacted much. I was actually in the build-out of new business when I was diagnosed, so I really couldn’t let it impact. I was more concerned with appearance, as I didn’t want to keep explaining to folks what was going on. Once my hair fell out, I had to explain. Ha. What has been the most significant change you see in yourself since the diagnosis and treatment?
During this time, what is of most importance to you?
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the infusion community?
I was medicated in all sorts of ways. I had oral medications and self-injections early on with the harvesting of stem cells. I had intravenous mostly early on, then oral once in the monthly protocol. I never got a port, and I never wanted one, either.
I’m not sure exactly. I assume they had a fear of the unknown. Worst-case scenario fears were probably the toughest. I found myself reassuring them that things were OK—not that I knew, but that was my attitude, so I tried to make sure folks knew that. If I wasn’t worried, that kind of calmed them down.
How did clinicians impact your therapy?
Did you feel you had a sufficient level of privacy and comfort? Were you able to hear what was said to other patients or what other patients were saying?
How did your treatment impact work, sleep, recreation—and/or other aspects of your lifestyle?
Regarding the infusion center, what did you think of the space? How would describe it?
I have a different view on life for sure. I can’t let little things bother me. It gave me a look into the cancer club that you want no one else to be a member of. However, you do realize that so many people are dealing with this. You also see folks that are so much worse. Seeing children with cancer just kills me. I actually feel like I am a very lucky guy to be dealing with what I am dealing with What is a typical day like for you now? Are you still receiving infusions? What has the experience of living with the diagnosis been for you?
They tend to be quite impactful, and I’m happy to say they have continuously been quite a positive part of the experience. They have been informative and made sure I was physically comfortable. Eleven years later, I still look forward to seeing some of the clinicians monthly when I go to Dana Farber Cancer Institute. They made a tough situation manageable. What was the impact of your treatment on family and/or friends? What were their concerns?
A typical day now is pretty normal. I’m used to setting up meds on a weekly basis—I just take meds in the a.m. and p.m., and I have monthly visits to Dana Farber for bloodwork, review of numbers, and picking up the next 28-day cycle of pills. Every third day I get Zometa, a bone-strengthening drug.
Bedside manner is huge. Don’t be afraid to use additional tools at your disposal. I can actually only remember twice when someone else had to step in and find a vein. Don’t be in a rush to remove an IV, as that tends to be when the bruising occurs—I have had a few that felt like they were taken out sideways.
The infusion center was a small clusters of 6 or so beds. They did have private rooms but for the most part I was only a curtain away from the next patient. Early on, I did receive a private room now and then, but it did not really matter to me either way. Most certainly I could hear everything going on around. At times, however, it gave my wife and I someone to talk to and commiserate with. So it was not an issue for me. How did you receive the medication?
©2022, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC. All Rights 2852-FFX-05-06/22Reserved. Every time you use a freeflex+ bag from Fresenius Kabi, that’s one less needle in your day. Needleless connection – Luer Lock port reduces the risk of needle stick injury or bag puncture. Self-sealing septums – Both freeflex+ IV ports contain a self-sealing septum to help prevent leaks after removing the Luer Lock or spike. Non-PVC, non-DEHP, not made with natural rubber latex for broadest clinical application. Available in freeflex+ IV bags: • 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP • 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP For more information and to view our growing portfolio of freeflex+ products, please visit freeflexivbags.com/freeflex+ or call Customer Service at 1.888.386.1300. One less needle in your day. Introducing Needleless freeflex® + IV Bags with Luer Lock Port
INS Members:TaskDEIForce
We heard from Danielle Jenkins and Max Holder in March/April, Jennifer Stovall and Sue Weaver in May/June, and Larry Sisei in July/August In this issue, our final video in the series, we’re hearing from Melanie Eld. If you’d like to be involved in the DEI Task Force or have ideas on how members could share their stories on diversity, equity, and inclusion, please contact Chris Hunt at Chris.Hunt@ins1.org.
Crystal Miller, cochair Felicia Schaps, cochair Jeanette Adams
Equity: Doing what is fair and just to achieve the best outcome for all people.
servingcentralinvolvedUniversityQueensland,obtainfromprogenitoroncology/hematology/hematopoieticstemcelltransplant.ShegraduatedtheUniversityofCalgaryandwentontoamaster’sattheUniversityofSouthernAustralia,andaPhDfromtheofTexasatTyler,whereherresearchcostsofcareandstrategieswithvenouscatheters.CurrentlysheisinacademiainHouston,Texas.
INS Convenes a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force
Diversity: Embracing and accepting our differences, respecting all people without prejudice, and practicing health care with reverence for each unique individual.
Inclusion: Ensuring that our organization honors the thoughts, ideas and perspectives of each person.
SueDebraJanniferLarryJulioYvonnieDanielleMaxJenniferMelanieTracyMarcelaAquino-LasamBeattyDavisEldHelalHolderJenkinsLoveSantiagoSiseiStovallToneyWeaver
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To ensure that INS is supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion within the infusion community, we have established a standing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force. Our goal is to plan and execute meaningful actions.
INS affirms our belief that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
In order to begin to fulfill the DEI Task Force mission of listening to the diverse voices within the infusion nursing community and looking for opportunities to address bias and intolerance in health care, the DEI Task Force members are searching for venues to share their stories. This year, we’ve done a video series in the INSider.
Further, we acknowledge and embrace our obligation to advance equal and effective care for all people. Inclusiveness is one of INS’ core values. We are committed to listening to the diverse voices within the infusion nursing community and we look for opportunities to address bias and intolerance in health care.
Ludy
The INS DEI Task Force Shares Their Stories
The DEI Task Force has identified what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means to INS:
Melanie Eld, PhD, RN, CNE Melanie Eld, an RN for 21 years, started out in
15 INSider What is your role at INS/INCC? Please describe some of your daily tasks and long-range initiatives. My role at INCC is the certification administrator.
I am a novice crafter and love gardening. I am looking into purchasing a greenhouse to grow flowers and vegetables. Speaking of flowers, I have no luck with orchids or gardenias; if you have any tips, please send them along.
I thoroughly enjoy the diversity of tasks. There are so many aspects to working in this field that I’m never bored. Collaborating with coworkers and finding solutions for test takers are highlights. Delving into data and finding different ways to present data are also at the top of my list. Would you like to share anything with the membership about yourself—your hobbies, interests, etc.?
Outside of work, my husband and I enjoy watching the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and caring for our dog Bandit and three cats, appropriately named Carson, Branson, and Mrs. Patmore after our favorite series, Downton Abbey. Grandchildren are also greatly important!
What do you enjoy most about working in certification/accreditation?
I would first survey via a needs analysis those in the profession to see whether there is a need for a new program. If there proves to be need, then I would form a task force of experts and conduct a job task analysis. From there, the task force would create the blueprint and eventually the test questions—though there are quite a few steps in between, a long process that requires assistance from subject matter experts and psychometricians.
Primarily I approve applications, conduct audits and marketing efforts, and manage the exam process. I also conduct periodic reviews of examination processes and procedures to ascertain whether the program is adhering to the national accreditations which are renewed Long-rangeperiodically.plansinclude growing the program and expanding awareness of the importance of becoming a CRNI® and maintaining certification.
Please describe your experience with certification/ accreditation. How did you get into this field?
What do you find most challenging about this field of work?
I have over 25 years of experience in the testing industry. I began at a membership association where I worked with membership and was responsible for two registry programs where membership was dwindling. Through a great deal of research and work with subject matter experts, we created an entry level exam and revamped the two existing programs. Eventually, we created a practical examination to assess hands-on skills. As the programs grew, we decided to seek national accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Our first attempt at gaining accreditation failed so we rewrote the rigorous application and were able to secure NCCA accreditation our second time around. I wanted to continue learning from NCCA, a gold standard for certification programs, so I became a commissioner on the NCCA and served with them for about 3 years. My role as a commissioner was to review new and renewing applications for accreditation.
CRNI® Connection: An Interview with Darlene Leuschke
Would you like share anything else with the membership about this position?
I have found that just because I have several years of experience in the certification industry doesn’t mean I know each organization’s distinctive processes. The learning curve in understanding new databases and the procedures of each organization is the most challenging aspect. How would you go about beginning a new exam/ certification program? What kinds of work/organizing would be involved?
You can contact Darlene Leuschke at Darlene.Leuschke@incc1.org.
I am incredibly happy to be the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation’s certification administrator and am looking forward to learning more about the organization and meeting the board and the members.
It was a wonderful experience to work with and learn from other certification professionals.
SponsoredRegisterby: www.learningcenter.ins1.org/2022OctoberVirtualatAddressingtheCurrentChallengesinInfusionMedicationSafetyOctober26-27,2022
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Fall Virtual Symposium Infusion
October 26–27, 2022
The Day 1 program will begin with a brief introduction by Oren Guttman, MD, MBA, titled, “Effects of the Pandemic on Health Care Delivery and Impact on Patient Safety,” followed by a session titled, “The Role of Human Factors and Resiliency Engineering in Advancing Patient Safety in Health Care” also presented by Oren Guttman, MD, MBA. Our second session of Day 1 will be titled, “Errors Associated with Medication Preparation and Administration,” presented by Maureen Burger, MSN, RN, CPHQ, FACHE. Day 2 will include the following sessions: “Risk of Medication Errors with IV Pumps” presented by Evan Frasure, PharmD, BCPS; “Creating Constructive Change After a Medical Error” presented by Reema Harrison, PhD; and our concluding session, “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Shifting the Focus on Why Things Go Right” presented by Kara Lyven, MBA, CPPS. We look forward to you attending this timely virtual symposium. You will earn 5 CEs and 10 RUs after completed the sessions and filling out your evaluations. You may register here.
This Infusion Nurses Society virtual symposium addresses error causation, including the impact of human factors, the hazards within medication preparation and administration, the risk of medication errors with infusion pumps, the effects of an adverse event upon the clinician, and the use of teamwork as a foundation for safety. The propensity of humans to err causes us to continually strive to find ways to minimize errors when infusing medications. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the potential risk for errors due to staff shortages, concern about exposure to the virus, the emotional and physical stress of providing patient care, and the way patient care is delivered. This program offers new perspectives on preventing patient harm, supporting health care clinicians, and developing organizational safety systems.
INS Medication Safety: Perspectives on Preventing Patient and Clinician Harm
Britt Meyer, PhD, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC, NE-BC
Rachael Crickman, DNP, ARNP-CNS, RN, AOCNS, OCN®
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2024
Tricia Kleidon, MNSc, BNSc, RN Amy Kyes, MSN, RN, CRNI®, CVRN-BC, APRN, AGCNS-BC
Jennie Ong, PharmD Mary Jo Sarver, MSN, ARNP, AOCN®, CRNI®, LNC, VA-BC
Meet A Member for the 2024 Standards of Practice Committee!
Simon Clare, MRes, BA, RGN
Rachael Crickman has over twenty years of experience as an oncology nurse working in various roles of direct patient care, as a clinical nurse specialist, and as an educator in oncology clinical trials. She currently works at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, Washington. Rachael is a staunch advocate for both staff and patient safety and has published manuscripts on hazardous drug control measures, interventions to promote safety, and central venous catheter blood draws. Her expertise includes chemotherapy administration, cellular therapies, and central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention measures. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest with her family.
Samantha Keogh, PhD, RN, BSc(Hons)
Rachael Crickman, DNP, ARNP-CNS, RN, AOCNS, OCN® Michelle DeVries, MPH, CIC, VA-BC
INS STANDARDS OF PRACTICE COMMITTEE
Chair: Barb Nickel, APRN-CNS, CRNI®, CCRN Co-Chair: Lisa Gorski, MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI®, FAAN Peter Carr, PhD, MMedSc, BSc, RN
View these webinars and more on-demand: www.learningcenter.ins1.org/webinars Listen to these podcasts and more on-demand: www.learningcenter.ins1.org/podcasts Substance Use and Pain: How Can We Best ApproachThemDonorsMedicationsPlasma-DerivedCare?–MakePossible Safe IV PracticeAdministrationMedicationPushRight Line, Right Now Preconference Workshop at INS 2022 – Discussion with Teleflex Leaders Managing HypersensitivityInfusionReactions with Intravenous Antihistamines 21 INSider Peripheral Catheter Bundles: Buzzwords or Best Practice?
NEW INS PUBLIC MEMBER:
22September/October 2022
As INS celebrates a 50-year legacy of leadership and continues to build an inclusive leadership lens into the ongoing practice of infusion nursing, Lisa is honored to join INS as a public member of the INS Board of Directors.
LISA M. ONG , CPA, PCC
Lisa M. Ong, is the president and founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC, based in Plano, Texas. She is an award-winning diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) strategy consultant, speaker, and professional certified executive coach. With over 30 years of experience in business, leading change, and DEIB strategy, Lisa helps organizations and leaders to focus on building trusting connections, meaningful relationships, and engagement to cultivate cultures of belonging. Previously, she served as a national diversity director in PwC’s office of diversity and inclusion and as an audit senior manager. She received her BBA in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin and her MS in management and professional executive coaching from The University of Texas at Dallas. Forbes, Dallas Business Journal, D CEO Magazine, Authority Magazine, and the American Management Association have featured interviews of her DEIB and inclusive leadership expertise. Lisa has held leadership roles on several advisory boards for national and local nonprofits and national professional associations.
Sharon Burton-Young, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC, the CEO/director at Gracious Heart Nursing Services, was awarded the Women's Leadership Initiative Catalyst Award from Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware in June 2022.
Membership Updates
Christine Lint, RN, OCN®, CRNI®, was awarded the national DAISY Award in nursing excellence in 2019 while working in outpatient oncology; as a clinical IV specialist, she was the infusion educator hospital-wide, training RNs and helping them maintain their IV skills. In 2020, she was chosen to write for the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) exam (OCN®). She is currently an infusion resource nurse at New England Life Care.
INS is pleased to recognize the following individuals for their recent accomplishments, awards, and promotions. Do you have an accomplishment, award, and/or promotion you’d like to share? If so, please rachel.king@ins1.org.email
INFUSION NURSES SOCIETY
Erica Bush, MSN, RN, CRNI®, IV clinical manager at VNA Care and Gardner Foundation award winner, graduated with an MSN with a specialization in nursing education from Walden University magna cum laude in February 2022.
Audra Flynn, MS, BSN, RN, CRNI®, NE-BC, PHN, home infusion nurse manager at University of California, Davis, was recently promoted to create a new home infusion pharmacy nursing program for UC Davis, the first program of its kind implemented within the University of California health system.
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Karin Cierzan, RN, CGRN, CRNI®, an endoscopy nurse and infusion therapist at MNGI Digestive Health, presented a session at the SGNA Annual Course in Salt Lake City entitled “Compassionate Care of the Chronically Ill Adult: An Overview of Infusion Therapy.” She also just became the president of the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN), a term that runs from May 2022 until 2023.
Kori Utter, MSN, MBA, RN, CRNI®, a nurse manager at Accredo, a specialty pharmacy, has spent the last three years working toward MSN/MBA dual degree in health care administration, and successfully completed it in May 2022. She received a promotion from nurse supervisor to nurse manager in April 2022.
Michelle Meinke, BSN, CRNI®, an account executive for INS/INCC at Fresenius-Kabi, has led PICC teams for 6 years, and is currently in infusion sales.
Joseph Pettee, BSN, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC, a senior VP at Dynamic Access, recently received two awards: Entrepreneur of the Year and University of Toledo College of Nursing Alumni of the Year. He is currently volunteering on Mercy Bon Secour college board as chairman of the finance committee.
Timothy Spencer, RN, APRN, BHSc, DipAppSc, IntCareCert, VA-BC‚ is the associate editor for the Journal of Vascular Access, and was the 2019 recipient of the Suzanne LaVere Herbst Award for Excellence in Vascular Access from the Association for Vascular Access.
Natalie Velasco, MSN, BSN, CRNI®, ONC®, an oncology infusion nurse at the New York University Perlmutter Cancer Center, recently achieved a master’s in nursing with a concentration in leadership, and was also promoted to senior staff nurse at her infusion center.
Pam Sabatino-Holmes, MSN, RN, CRNI®, a clinical nurse educator at Novasyte, retired in June 2020. She would like to write the history of IV therapy in the hospital from 1980 to the present day.
Membership Updates
24September/October 2022
Nancy Moureau, PhD, BSN, CRNI®, CPUI, VA-BC, CEO of PICC Excellence and staff nurse at Infinity Infusion Nursing, was awarded a PhD based on prior published research and a thesis on vessel health and preservation. As one of the developers of the vessel health and preservation model for vascular access, she coordinated the open access publication of the book on The Right Approach for Vascular Access, and received the Herbst Award for lifetime achievement and contributions to the specialty of vascular access.
Amy Simminger, BSN, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC, a clinical resource manager at the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health, Phoenix, Arizona, is the only CRNI® or VA-BC in her inner-city safety net facility. She started a very successful vascular access team in 2011 and was in charge of it for over 10 years.
Dorothy Pierce, DNP, RN, NP-C, CRNI®, an advanced practice nurse at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is a volunteer for the Oncology Nursing Society on the certified breast care nurse (CBCN®) practice test writing team and the CBCN® Passing Score Task Force. She has published multiple book chapters in a new radiation oncology manual and a recent article in the Journal of Palliative Care
Rowena De Mesa Kathleen Denke Abigail Desphy Joyce Dever Tonya Eller Hiliana Esparza Denika Espinoza Catherine Fernandez Anna Fishback Amber Fitzgerald George Flood Michelle Flores Christina Foster Tyler Gentry Andrea Gilder Brian Glenn Camilla Gozigian Elizabeth Green Angelica Gutierrez Genevieve Hackney Robert Hance Brenda Hannan Elizabeth Hansen Angie Hartwell Tina Harvell Mandy Hawkins Johnny Hernandez Nicole Hewlett Linda Hoagland Stephen Hoelle Jennifer Hugelmeyer Jennifer Hull Maki Ishii Kimberly Jackson Denise Jacobson JoAnna Johnson Chelsie Jones David Jordan Jessica Jordan Terri Joyce Colleen Kelly Susan Kenslow Lori Kidwell Andi Kittle David Kussow Raymond Landingin Lisa Limes Micah Nadine Lobaton Diane Lunsford Stefanie Mack Holly Mahowald Kathleen Marinucci Jeanne Marston Douglas Martin Deanna Mautz Lauren McQuillan Alida Merritt Florence Messi DOMESTIC MEMBERS Samuel Achey Stephanie Adams Jose Aguilar Tonia Aiken Stacy Atkins Raveen Awad Tanya Barksdale Kristin Beck Leissa Beckmann Cherilyn Berry Rajan Bhatt Nikkayla Birchem Cody Black Joshellen Blackwell Nora Bondi Cassandra Bradbury Ceiara Burchett Charlsey Caraviello Jamie Clemmons Judy Cochran Kecia Coleman Mary Conn Judy Cowger Lori Craig Ileene Crane Franks Karletta Crawford Jacqueline Day Welcome New Members! INSider25
INFUSION NURSES SOCIETY Bonnie Schug Annette Sherwood Leigh Ann Shinnick Tina Shoope Shelby Shupe Theresa Siaperas Monica Slaton Stephne Small Jacqueline Smith Kanon Smith Merry Sprout Karuna Tahiliani Veronica Tan Lauren Tierney Valerie Tork Pat Trader Chris Tyson Lindsey Undis Carol Van Buren Sandra Vanegas-Utterson Rachelle Vogler Christina Voth Rebecca Wall Channon Welch Tara White Brittany Winholt Brandy Winn Benjamin Wylie Megan Yungmann INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS Moon Dayoung – South Korea Martina Dominguez – Panama Ingrid Jeronimo – Brazil Somyung Kim – South Korea Yebin Ko – South Korea Kerrie Manley – Canada Silvia Martinez – Argentina Sandra Mina – Canada Jeonghye Park – South Korea Soojeong Park – South Korea Deepa Suresh – United Arab Emirates Lizzy Varghese – United Arab Emirates Daniela Meyer Julia Millard Cynthia Moon Bradley Morgan Jonathan Morgan Kathleen Mueller Rebecca Neubauer Joshua Newsome Melissa Nichols Chris Nickel Lora Nylund Nicholas O’Hearn Rod Okomoto Valerie Pasnau Jasmine Paul Teressa Polcha Myranda Prather Gregory Purcell Dyana Richardson Rachelle Roberts Lindsey Roddy Laura Rodriguez Carla Rodschat Angela Romine Janet Ross Elisa Ryken Cari Sackett Jessica Sasser Jill Scharnhorst 26September/October 2022
50thAnniv e yrasr 1973-2023 JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE OUR COMING 2023
