3M’s Vascular Access Solutions business ran three back to back events in May to stimulate the debate around preventing bloodstream infections acquired through intravenous (IV) access sites.

Held in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, the IV Leadership Summits included workshops and panel discussions as well as presentations from a number of leading experts in the field of IV therapy, vascular access and infection control.

The ‘Leaders Teaching Leaders’ events were chaired by health journalist and broadcaster Pennie Taylor (pictured). Keynote speakers included Jackie Nicholson, nurse consultant at St George's University Hospital and chair of the National Infusion and Vascular Access Society (NIVAS) and Evonne Curran, an independent infection prevention nurse consultant and honorary senior research fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Said senior marketing executive Ian Kent: “The summits formed part of a series of global events run under the 3M Health Care Academy banner and were designed to offer senior clinicians with an interest in vascular access, infection prevention and nutrition the chance to share best practice and network.

“The debate was set in the context of the unique challenges facing the NHS and there was a strong focus on leadership throughout, giving delegates the insight they need to lead and deliver change for the benefit of patients.”

Delegates were invited to attend two workshops during the summits, exploring Medical Adhesive Related Skin Injury (MARSI) and Vessel Health Preservation (VHP) programmes.

Ian said: “Cases of the hospital acquired infection such as MRSA have been dramatically reduced since the NHS took action to stamp them out and a similar approach is needed to manage infections associated with IV access points.

“Statistics are patchy, but we know that around 80 per cent of patients admitted to hospital will have a vascular access device inserted and that 87 per cent of bloodstream infections are associated with intravascular devices. Catheter related bloodstream infections are not only very costly to treat, but can be fatal, so this is a growing concern within the profession.”

3M has a number of Vascular Access solutions that can help reduce the risk of infection, including the antimicrobial 3M™ Tegaderm™ CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV Dressings and 3M™ Curos™ Disinfecting Port Protectors, that are used to disinfect IV needleless connectors, and these were showcased during the summits.

Added Ian: “Each summit generated some stimulating debates around issues such as creating a consistent national approach to IV access surveillance and control and establishing dedicated teams of IV nurses where these don’t currently exist. We were delighted that 185 senior clinicians and academics attended the three events and left empowered to improve outcomes for patients.”

A full summary of the events, including videos and presentations, is available on the 3M Health Care Academy website.