standard of how many IV attempts

Nurses Safety

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I have been assigned the task to determine what is the standard of how many IV attempts is appropriate for one nurse (ex. 2 attempts per patient is most common in my experience) anyone have any links or sites I can find validation for # of attempts?

I usually try 2. But if I see the third one and it looks better and says "stick it here" I will try. But never more than 3 unless code and only RN.

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Just say a quick prayer to St. Anthony. He helps find things. Including veins.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.

Two times is the "standard" times any nurse should attempt to start an IV. (At least that is what I have heard); Keep in mind --

the patient-- at all times!!

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Originally posted by Retired Nurse

Just say a quick prayer to St. Anthony. He helps find things. Including veins.

Cool ! I never thought to ask his help with finding veins tho he really does help find other lost things!!! I'm going to try it next time!

:saint:

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I work in a PICU and would love to be able to say we only try 2 times.

I have 25 years Pediatric exp. and there HAVE been times when we tried more than 2 times.

Ultimately that would be great....but what happens when you, yourself are the best sticker on?????

None of us want to hurt our patients but we also want them to get well.

Especially in the peds population it isn't always possible for just 2 times.

Thanks,

Pedsnurse74

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Specializes in Cardiac/Vascular & Healing Touch.

My personal policy is 2 attempts & I am a good stick ( I am one of the ones they call when no one else can) but I do have a friend who is my backup. I call her when I can't get it....I sit down to stick when it's elective (obviously not in a code or a trauma). Sitting down helps my focus, & saves my ol' back too.;)

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Specializes in NICU.
Originally posted by Retired Nurse

Just say a quick prayer to St. Anthony. He helps find things. Including veins.

Good idea, he does help find things but I never thought about veins.

I always thought it doesn't hurt to say a prayer. Sometimes it's a miracle when you get one in a baby with no good veins!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Vascular & Healing Touch.

I agree, I say a prayer often so I don't inflict too much pain, these people already suffer enough.

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Oh I can not count the numer fo times I have silently and outloud prayed for the Lord's help to get this vein. Have even Had the pt to pray as I try. It works alot better than to try and "hold your tongue just the right way "as you try.

God has helped with a many of the proccedures I have done.

These people especially elderly go through so many losses and then bad health....they need that extra spirtiual uplift.

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2 by me, 2 by another RN, then I am calling ER with an SOS. After that it's a call to the house doctor to let them know that we cannot get an IV in. Sometimes they decide to forgo the IV fluids, or sometimes they insert a central line.

PS. Don't you just hate it when you have finally gotten an IV in on such a hard stick and they pull it out a half hour later. Oh the frustration!

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Originally posted by Louie18

They called me "One-Poke-Lou" and I'd say I hit about 80%.

I'll leave that alone:chuckle

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IN OUR FACILITY THE LPNs GET 2 STICKS AND THE RN GETS HOW EVER MANY IT TAKES TO GET IT.:eek: :balloons:

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