Peripheral intravenous access in DIVA patients
Abstract:
Introduction: Intravenous cannulation is a common procedure for paramedics. Difficulty is often encountered and may result in escalation of care to an intensive care paramedic (ICP). Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access (USGPIVA) is used in-hospital as an alternative approach. Historically limited to physicians, it is increasingly embraced by non-physicians, with point of care ultrasound (POCUS) devices more affordable, portable, and suited to the out of hospital environment.
Objective: To explore the utility of ICP-performed USGPIVA for patients who are predicted to be difficult according to a difficult intravenous access scoring tool.
Methods: This was a prospective observational pilot study of ICPs who used the adult difficult intravenous access (A-DIVA) scale to predict difficulty and perform USGPIVA using a contemporary POCUS device.
Results: For the 32 patients enroled, the overall success rate was 50% of which 87% were successful on the first attempt. Mean A-DIVA score was 4.1/5, and paradoxically, success improved with A-DIVA-predicted difficulty.
Conclusion: ICPs can perform USGPIVA with moderate success. The A-DIVA score could be useful for paramedics to predict difficult cannulation. Future research should focus on increasing exposure, training time and enhancing feedback to paramedics performing USGPIVA.
Reference:
Burton SO, Donovan JK, Jones SL, Phillips LM, Anderson DJ, Meadley BN. Use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) by intensive care paramedics to achieve peripheral intravenous access in patients predicted to be difficult: An out-of-hospital pilot study. Australas Emerg Care. 2022 Oct 25:S2588-994X(22)00086-0. doi: 10.1016/j.auec.2022.10.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36307321.