Any facilities actually using an AccuVein? Any thoughts?

[BiscuitStripes]

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?

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, PeakRN said:

There are several studies that show it to not increase success. Since it has been proven to not increase success over traditional placement I'm not sure why anyone buys them or why they even exist.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01042613

There are a couple of other studies you can search out if you really desire, I have yet to find one where they was a real benefit in outcome.

Our facility does have a couple, but I have never used one nor does the vascular access team. I do often find it in the corner of a room after some poor patient has been poked multiple times before I eventually get called to poke the patient.

I will use things that will help me, be it a wee light or an ultrasound machine, so I'm not some rigid old school person who just hates technology.

Thanks for that study I'll definitely check it out!

[James75]

We have one and only once have I seen anyone try to use it. Like others have said, it can give you an idea where to palpate, otherwise not very helpful.

[Asystole RN]

I personally have not found them any better than using a high-intensity focused torch like the Streamlight Microstream.

To substantially increase success I always recommend looking at less-expensive ultrasounds. It then allows you to assess depth and vessel health.

[murseman24, MSN, CRNA]

Worthless. ultrasound is the way to go for a difficult stick. I hate those things, never had any success with them. Guaranteed to get it every time with US

[PhyllisMSN, MSN, RN]

I have had mixed results using the vein finder. It has definitely helped with finding antecubital veins.

However, I do think the advertisements go over board ! This is the one we use.

[zoidberg, BSN, RN]

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.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

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.

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

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!

[Spadeforce]

I use the magic powers of Flawnce nighting gale to find veins.

[Party_of_five, BSN]

They are terrible. It only works on light skin with no hair and no fatty tissue. Otherwise it picks up hair "shadows" and fat. Try double tourniquets and a warm compress instead.

[Epidural, BSN, RN]

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.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

We had one when I worked in the ER. I wasn’t impressed with it the couple of times I used it. It didn’t see anything that I couldn’t find on my own. Maybe the newer ones are better. It’s been about 5-6 years since then.