March, 2004
For Immediate Release

It is estimated that 90% of people who access our health care system will at some point in time have an Intravenous line (IV) inserted. This is the most common invasive procedure performed on patients and has a high potential for injury or complications. Shockingly, there is very little formal education or training provided for nurses. Education is generally learned on the job, and is often referred to as “see one, do one, teach one” according to Karen Laforet, Professional and Technical Services Representative. “The voice of the customer has been consistent in the last 4 years”, explains Laforet “the need for education ranks very high”. This is where the IV Secured Performance Clinical Program steps in.

3M has partnered with Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation to offer the IV Secured Performance Clinical Program. This 2 day educational program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of clinicians in a clinical setting. Throughout the program, assessment, prevention, and management of IV-related clinical practice issues are explored. Participants also have the opportunity to be a part of a clinical experience. The curriculum is based on a needs assessment and allows for a mix of interactive learning and “hands-on” experience specific to the clinicians’ identified professional development needs.

Hamilton Health Sciences, a long-standing customer, was chosen to partner with 3M because of its well-established and well defined I.V. resource program. HHSC’s location and access to a wide variety of patient populations also contributed to the choice.

3M Sales Reps offer the program to customers (and potential customers) who they feel can influence change in their facility and have a background in IV therapy. The IV Program is at no cost to the customer, except for the need to book time off work. The program is to be offered three times a year. The original launch was planned for Spring 2003 but unfortunately because of SARS it was pushed back to the fall. The initial program had eight participants, four from Ontario and four from the West. Speakers included a radiologist, nurse-patient clinician, and even a patient. “The facilitators did a wonderful job,” raves Laforet.

The benefits to both the customer and 3M are extensive; the customer has the opportunity to enhance their skills and share their knowledge with fellow clinicians. 3M has the opportunity to secure a business base and expand penetration of products including: the 3M™ Tegaderm™ family, surgical tapes, Steri-Strips, No-Sting Barrier Film, Coban™ and Retelast™.

The next step for the IV Platform is to develop a formulized network of IV Clinicians as Key Opinion Leaders across Canada. By keeping in touch with participants, Laforet feels “we will be able to utilize them as resource clinicians”. Past participants will be able to put on workshops in their region and sell the benefits of 3M products. Carolyn Doroschuk, who participated in the launch program, has already presented an IV Securement workshop in Alberta.

The IV Secured Performance Clinical Program was developed in response to the needs of the health care force, yet this innovative program benefits both the clinician and 3M Health Care.