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Poster 20 | Presenting author: Eva Gauci

Over the past 18 months, CNSA, in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, has delivered the Principles and Practices of Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) micro credential courses across the country. With a deliberate focus on improving equity of access to educational opportunities for cancer nurses, CNSA has focused on reaching nurses in regional and remote areas who often face barriers to attending hands-on professional development.

Dr Kerrie Curtis is a 2026 CNSA Research Grant recipient leading a multisite, binational point-prevalence study to quantify Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) in day therapy and ambulatory cancer units across Australia and New Zealand. By identifying how many patients are affected and where the burden sits, her work will strengthen the case for nurse-led ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion, aiming for fewer painful attempts, improved efficiency, and a better experience for people receiving cancer treatment.

This month on Nursing Excellence in Cancer Care, we explore the importance of vessel health and preservation.

Did you know up to 59% of patients with cancer have difficult intravenous access (DIVA)? This means it is more challenging to successfully insert a peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) without employing advanced techniques such as using ultrasound. Patients can endure multiple attempts, sometimes up to 8-10 times to successfully insert a PIVC. This further contributes to poor vein health and patient experience.

Recently, CNSA’s Education Manager, Dr Pammie Ellem, travelled to Darwin to represent the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia and support local cancer nurses through targeted professional development.