The Infusion Nurses Society, a national organization of professionals involved in infusion therapy, convened a national task force of experts to examine the practice of RNs placing intraosseous (IO) access devices. The Society’s position on this topic is that qualified RNs, who are proficient in infusion therapy and who have been appropriately trained for the procedure, may insert, maintain, and remove IO access devices. This position paper addresses all situations in which immediate access is necessary and identifies IO access as an alternative in patients when traditional vascular access cannot be obtained.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists has launched Lifeline to Modern Medicine (lifelinetomodernmedicine.com), a Web site that provides information about anesthesia care for patients. This site includes resources about different types of anesthesia, what to expect before and after surgery, and information about relevant medical specialties. In addition, there is a checklist patients can print and use to fill...