Published
Title says it all...I've read about them and seen them online yet never seen one be used in person. Anyone's facility using them or have any experience with them? Are they as amazing as they look?
On 2/3/2019 at 10:45 AM, pluckyduck said:I work with a couple nurses who can palpate the brachial artery and slide in the IV right next to it to hit the brachial vein in the antecubital site. I am not that much of a ninja, haha.
that is nerve damage waiting to happen. lawsuit anyone? Even with ultrasound I have seen poorly executed ultrasound guided piv’s cause permanent nerve damage. i don’t care how good you are, it’s too risky. and the infrared stuff is garbage.
I have been on an IV team almost me entire career so I am a pro at vascular access and Ultraound use so I have no use for them.However,if a tool will help a nurse start a good IV I am all for it.The problem our team as seen is nurses using superficial veins that last one antibiotic dose or a very short time and then we are called to find a better site or they find veins,many not good,and still can't get it because they have poor skills.So we are not big fans.
I agree with above sometimes the light shows small superficial veins not really suitable for access that needs to last a few days. Sometimes I'll find a good vein but often I've used it in a pinch (example patient needs amiodarone drip and IV push diltiazem urgently and IV team busy) to put in a short term small size 24 or 22G until someone who can do US can put in a bigger/better/longer-lasting. It has also caused me to attempt access on a small, fragile vein which sometimes works but sometimes the vein blows. Time to learn ultrasound!
I just started using the AccuVein about a month ago. I am pretty good at starting IVs, but many of my patients have horrible veins. I really like this vein finder. I use it about 25% of the time, and my success rate is now close to 100%. There is a tiny bit of a learning curve, but the device really isn't that hard to master. Some of my co-workers are pretty resistant to trying new things, but I think that this is just human nature. Don't be afraid to use this new technology; your "one stick" success rate will probably improve.
BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN
536 Posts
Thanks for that study I'll definitely check it out!