NICU Awareness Month and Advocacy for Compassionate Care

A mom holding her baby in the NICU.

Despite the number of babies and families who spend their time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), NICU awareness remains fairly low. This makes initiatives like NICU Awareness Month all the more essential. The NICU is a special place, filled with tiny toes, flashing lights, beeping alarms and quiet whispers.  It’s a place for … Read more

What to Know About Skin Integrity in Hospitals

Close of an IV with nurse administering

Whether it’s placing an IV-line, checking vitals or administering life-saving treatment: patient care begins with the skin. Preventing and saving skin from reactions, tears and antimicrobial burns is much easier than treating them, yet many healthcare professionals find themselves having to choose between compromising skin integrity and providing patients with the treatment they need. Sometimes … Read more

Skin Problems with Cancer Treatment

patient skin health

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is often a life changing event. For many patients with cancer, the focus is understandably on fighting the disease, however many newly diagnosed patients aren’t aware that managing the side effects of cancer treatment can be one of the biggest challenges they face. While cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, … Read more

IV Dressing Types: Acrylic vs. Silicone

Despite the prevalence of intravenous (IV) therapy, not enough attention is given to the securement technique and IV dressings used, including the host of complications that can occur all based upon which IV dressing was applied.  Not all IV dressings are made equal, and the choice of dressing, including factors such as acrylic vs. silicone, … Read more

How to Prevent Bloodstream Infections that Lead to Sepsis

Nurse hanging up IV antibiotics to treat a patient who has developed sepsis from a bloodstream infection.

Healthcare-associated bloodstream infections, if not identified and treated quickly enough, can lead to the development of sepsis: a serious complication of infection. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that results in the death of at least 350,000 adults in America each year and 2.9 million children around the world.   In fact, sepsis is the … Read more

Preventing Medical Adhesive Related Skin Injury in Pediatric Patients

A preterm baby who has fragile skin and MARSI has his delicate hand held by his mother's fingers.

Medical adhesive related skin injuries (or MARSIs) are a dangerously common, but under recognized medical complication. From premature infants to elderly patients with chronic-health conditions, MARSI occurs in all care settings and affects patients of all ages. Yet, MARSIs are preventable – not inevitable. In addition to dressing application and removal techniques, today there is … Read more

Helping Children with Congenital Heart Conditions Stay Free and Clear from Surgical Site Infections

An incision scar that has healed on a baby. The baby had received pediatric congenital heart surgery and did not have a surgical site infection.

When a parent is planning for their child’s upcoming surgery, post-operative care and complications like surgical site infections aren’t often top of mind – getting through the operation is the top concern. But, after a child is wheeled back through the operating room doors, a new set of challenges and treatment begins.  After surgery comes … Read more

Protecting Patients from Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections

Protection from Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections (CRBSIs) using Covalon's VALGuard, which is designed to protect IV-line connections from external contaminants

After a patient or loved one has begun treatment for a stressful diagnosis, the last thing they need is a setback or threat to recovery like a catheter related bloodstream infection.  The physical, emotional and mental toll that catheter related bloodstream infections and other healthcare associated setbacks have on patients can be debilitating and heartbreaking.  … Read more

Central Line Care: Strengthening Protection Against Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs)

A heartbeat line with a microscopic bacteria representing a hospital acquired infection that could be prevented with central line care

Central lines are a direct connection between critical medical intervention, like life saving medication, and the heart. They can be used for tiny babies, children and adults of all ages.  Patients who have long-term central lines are often fighting serious illnesses, and may be immunocompromised, making central line care a high stakes priority.  Such a … Read more

How to Use CLABSI Conscious Technology to Prevent Infections

A medical professional using CLABSI Conscious Technology to Prevent Central line-associated bloodstream infections

Healthcare is a lifeline, but it can also be a direct line to infection.  Among the multitude of tolls the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on the provision of healthcare, is the rise of central line-associated bloodstream infections. CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network has reported a significant rise in the standard infection ratio for CLABSI: a … Read more