ULTRASOUND GUIDED INTRAVENOUS ACCESS

Course overview

AT LEAST 150 TO 200 MILLION PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS (PIV) CATHETERS ARE PLACED EACH YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES, AND UP TO 80 PERCENT OF PATIENTS RECEIVE A PIV DURING THEIR HOSPITAL STAY. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY FACTORS MAY COMPLICATE THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING PIV ACCESS, A FEW OF WHICH INCLUDE OBESITY, INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSE, AND HYPOVOLEMIA. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE TECHNIQUE FOR ULTRASOUND-GUIDED INTRAVENOUS ACCESS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THIS TECHNIQUE IN AVOIDING COMPLICATIONS AND ENHANCING PATIENT COMFORT. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING THIS PROCEDURE.