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Managing Difficult IV Cannulation

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Intravenous cannulation may be difficult and is associated with a high risk of complications. If the cannulation fails, this may further delay treatment and transport, potentially resulting in adverse patient outcomes. Cannulation may be difficult if the patient’s veins can not be seen or felt.

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Intravenous cannulation in prehospital settings enables the delivery of medicine, intravenous fluids, anaesthesia and other interventions prior to patient transportation. However, cannulation may be difficult and is associated with a high risk of complications. If the cannulation fails, this may further delay treatment and transport, potentially resulting in adverse patient outcomes. How do you tell whether cannulation will be ‘difficult’, and how does this affect patient management and clinical decision-making?

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Ausmed
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Ausmed’s editorial team is committed to providing high-quality, well-researched and reputable education to our users, free of any commercial bias or conflict of interest. All education produced by Ausmed is developed in consultation with healthcare professionals and undergoes a regular rigorous review process to ensure the relevancy of all healthcare information and updates to changes in practice. If you have identified an issue with the education offered by Ausmed or wish to submit feedback to Ausmed's editorial team, please email ausmed@ausmed.com.au with your concerns.
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What do others think?

1453 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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Portrait of Rebecca Isaacs-Farrin
Rebecca Isaacs-Farrin
30 Oct 2020
Great source for a good outline of factors to consider when trying to gain IV access and some strategies to utilise to mitigate these issues. Lots of supporting evidence and references too.
PN
PREETI NIJJAR
06 Jan 2021
Excellent resource.
DG
Deirdre Gillick
15 Nov 2020
Good refresher on IV cannulation and additional resources also very helpful.
NT
Nikki TURK
18 Nov 2020
This article provides an overview of phlebotomy practices and inherent risks.
Portrait of Hannah Zamora
Hannah Zamora
08 Nov 2020
relevant
YS
Yurda sahin
08 Nov 2020
scope of practice for EEN Aseptic Technique confidentiality and dignity
KD
Kimberly Davidson
10 Jan 2021
Good to read to reinforce old knowledge & read any new information available
JA
Jacinda Auhl
06 Jan 2021
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DH
Daniel Hardegen
05 Jan 2022
Very good read
CF
Christian Francois
06 Nov 2020
Great, succinct review. Establishes a way of grading the possibility of success or failure, and identifies cases likely to present difficulties.
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