Homecare

Power Hour Breakout

(F1) For Better or for Worse? Harm Reduction, Ethics and Patients Who Use Substances with Vascular Access/Infusion Therapy Challenges

Presenter(s)

• 

  Jocelyn Hill, MN, RN, CVAA(c), VA-BC™

  Clinical Nurse Educator
  St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC

  COOK Medical: Consultant (Status: Ongoing); Fresenius Kabi: Consultant (Status: Terminated --- March 2019)

We care for many patients that have complex medical and personal situations which may include substance use. Our practice is guided by ethical responsibilities to all patients in our care – first and foremost, “to do no harm”. Harm reduction is one strategy that we should be more cognizant of as we interact, treat and care for patients who use substances.

Strategies will be presented based on experiences in a downtown, urban centre that is internationally recognized for spearheading innovation, research and evidence-based interventions and programs while dealing with the opioid crisis.

The clinical situations these patients are dealing with often require some sort of vascular access and infusion therapy. Our role is key in the health and healing of all patients, but especially for those with a history and/or current use of substances that may or not be obvious. This session will bring theory of medical / nursing codes of ethics and harm reduction strategies to the forefront and discuss the impact on our clinical practice and personal feelings about challenging social issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe medical/nursing ethics and Harm Reduction Theory and how it is relevant to the specialty of vascular access.
• Describe the impact that ethical dilemmas when considering Harm Reduction Theory have on our practice as specialists in vascular access.
• Describe strategies currently used when working with and caring for patients with substance use disorder and complex medical and personal situations.