(L6) Improving Care Through Early Identification of Difficult Intravascular Access Using a Scoring Tool in a Rural Emergency Department Setting

Sunday, September 21, 2025

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET

Location: Suwannee 3-4

Earn .5 CE Hour(s)

Presenter(s)

Jon Bell, MSN, RN, VA-BC, CEN

Director of Emergency & Cardiovascular Services
Mount Desert Island Hospital
Bucksport, Maine

PDF of Slides

Co-Presenter(s)

J. Blake Hotchkiss, MSN, MBA, RN, VA-BC

Director - Emergency Department
MaineHealth Franklin Hospital
Wayne, Maine

Disclosure(s):

Jon Bell, MSN, RN, VA-BC, CEN: BD Medical: Consultant (Ongoing), Speaker's Bureau (Ongoing); Eloquest Healthcare: Consultant (Ongoing), Speaker's Bureau (Ongoing); Infusion Knowledge: Consultant (Ongoing); PICC Excellence: Consultant (Ongoing); Teleflex: Consultant (Ongoing); The Clinician Exchange: Consultant (Ongoing)

J. Blake Hotchkiss, MSN, MBA, RN, VA-BC: MaineHealth: Employed (Ongoing)

The implementation of a DIVA scoring tool in the hospital setting has the potential to decrease delays in care, improve the equity of care provided to patients, and enhance overall patient outcomes. Early identification and tailored interventions for patients with DIVA can lead to more efficient care delivery, reduced resource utilization, and improved patient experiences.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to recognize key risk factors for difficult intravascular access and understand how they are incorporated into the scoring tool to predict patient needs.
Attendees will learn strategies for integrating a DIVA scoring tool into clinical workflows to streamline care processes.
Participants will gain insight into how the use of a DIVA scoring tool can reduce delays in care, improve patient satisfaction, and promote equitable treatment for all patients.
Attendees will explore the benefits of using the scoring tool to guide decisions on alternative access methods, ultimately enhancing patient care and resource utilization.