Difficult intravenous access in the pediatric emergency department

Successful intravenous catheter placement plays a vital role in the pediatric emergency department. We assessed pediatric emergency department-related factors associated with difficult intravenous catheter placement” Lee et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Successful intravenous catheter placement plays a vital role in the pediatric emergency department. We assessed pediatric emergency department-related factors associated with difficult intravenous catheter […]

Identification and management of children with difficult intravenous access

Identification of children with difficult intravenous access (DIVA) can help promote prompt escalation to an appropriately skilled clinician” Schults et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Peripheral venous cannulation is considered a routine procedure, yet 50% of first attempt insertions fail, necessitating repeat insertion attempts. Identification of children with difficult intravenous access (DIVA) can help promote prompt […]

Enhanced Adult DIVA score used to predict difficult preoperative venous cannulation

The EA-DIVA score is a simple tool to identify patients at high risk of peripheral difficult intravenous access” Civetta et al (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Providing peripheral intravenous access is one of the most commonly performed technical procedures in hospitals and it is mandatory for all patients undergoing surgery. Obtaining peripheral intravenous access may be difficult […]

Building a team for difficult-vascular access in the emergency department

The implementation of a dedicated difficult venous access team can generate a significant decline in the time needed to obtain IV access for critical diagnostics and medical interventions” Whalen et al (2018). Abstract: Problem: Difficult venous access is a common problem in health care—especially in the emergency setting—that relies on quick diagnostics to differentiate patient […]

IV survival rates between standard long intravenous lines and extended dwell catheters

Of the 150 million IVs placed annually in the US, 10-30% of ED patients are classified as having difficult vascular access (DVA)” Shotkin et al (2018). Extract: “Establishing functional peripheral intravenous (IV) access is a vital step in providing care in the emergency department (ED). Of the 150 million IVs placed annually in the US, […]

Ultrasound guided IV insertion curriculum for emergency medicine trainees

Ultrasound-guided IV (USGIV) insertion is a safe and effective procedure to obtain access in DIVA patients; however, at our institution, most residents receive only informal instruction” Amick et al (2018). Extract: Establishing venous access in difficult IV access (DIVA) patients is a Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) milestone for emergency medicine trainees. Ultrasound-guided […]

Method to overcome difficult peripheral venous access

“A preliminary observational study was undertaken to evaluate the risk of failure of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheterization of a deep arm vein for a maximum of 7 days, after peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulation failure” Meyer et al (2014).