PERIPHERAL LINE PLACEMENT

Course overview

PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS (IV) LINES, CATHETERS OR CANNULAS ARE INDWELLING SINGLE-LUMEN PLASTIC CONDUITS THAT ALLOW FLUIDS, MEDICATIONS AND OTHER THERAPIES SUCH AS BLOOD PRODUCTS TO BE INTRODUCED DIRECTLY INTO A PERIPHERAL VEIN. PLACEMENT OF PERIPHERAL LINES IS THE MOST COMMONLY PERFORMED INVASIVE PROCEDURE IN ACUTE HEALTHCARE SETTINGS WITH MORE THAN 1 BILLION LINES BEING USED ANNUALLY WORLDWIDE. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES STRATEGIES FOR PLACEMENT OF PERIPHERAL IV LINES BY ANATOMICAL, LANDMARK-BASED TECHNIQUES, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN PLACING AND CARING FOR IV LINES WHILE MINIMIZING COMPLICATIONS.