Patency Management Algorithm For Central Venous Access Devices

On Monday 23 March 2026, cancer nurses and clinicians from across regional New South Wales came together at the Central West Cancer Care Centre in Orange for a highly practical and impactful Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) Workshop, led by Clinical Associate Professor Evan Alexandrou.

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.

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.

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.

Poster 20 | Presenting author: Eva Gauci