BD instye autoguard angiocaths- difficulty

[enfermeraSG]

Hi all,

I am wondering if any of you out there use the BD Insyte Autoguard angiocaths at your facility. If so, does anyone else experience any difficulty with them? I have been starting IV's for over 14 yrs and have always been one of the folks that people come to for difficult sticks. However, with these angiocaths I still get it in the vein, but find it is nearly impossible to thread the catheter up the vein. Other nurses in my dept have adopted the technique of threading the entire needle and catheter up the vein because of this. I hate to do that, it is so traumatic to the vein esp. if using irritating meds. I learned the "textbook" technique of threading catheter only once you've acheived flash and advance a bit further. (hard to change!) Any tips or tricks would be helpful! Thanks, SG

[PANurseRN1]

We use Medex "ProtectIV Plus," but anesthesia uses the Isytes. They hate our cathlons and we don't like theirs. Guess it just depends on what you're used to.

I always turn the cathlon a bit to disengage it, no matter what brand I'm using. It's nearly impossible to thread otherwise.

[enfermeraSG]

Thanks so much for the tips so far, sounds like the most important thing is to rotate the barrel first. I've never seen anyone do this, no wonder we have problems. I work tonight, so can't wait to try it! SG

[enfermeraSG]

Thanks so far for the tips, I work tonight so can't wait to try twisting the hub first. Can't believe we never knew to do that, guess no one read the directions that probably came with them! SG

[PICC ACE]

La compania no les mandaron un representante para entrenarles!? Que falla.

I not only give the cath a full twist I also give it a little push forward to make totally sure that seal is broken,then re-seat it on the needle. There was a learnig curve to get over when we switched to these a few years ago but most people like them now.

Don't get too used to them,though,as the next generation of IV stuff is coming out,such as the Nexiva's and others....

[enfermeraSG]

So far, so good! Releasing the tip seal was the trick! Thanks for the advice!

Don't you love it when new equip appears on your unit, and no one has been inserviced as to how it is used?! OH well, I am as flexible as these caths! SG

[JulieBoolie]

I must be an idiot! I have tried for a year and 1/2 to get used to these catheters. I've used the protectIV-Plus W for years. I've been an RN since 1983. Thought I was pretty good at IV's but the Insytes have completely blown my confidence.

I've looked at the online video over and over again. I rotate the catheter as advised. But I find myself using my private stash of ProtectIV's after I blow it with an Insyte.

I am at my wits end. Can anyone give me more advice?

I would greatly appreciate it!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Also remember once in any vein drop your angle thread a bit more 1/8 inch or so depending on the length of your catheter and then slide in using the finger tab. After unlocking the catheter (that is what the 360 is for ) make certain your finger slide is facing up. It should be and this allows to perform a one handed technique. I find performing a one-handed insertion frees my other hand to hold traction or the pt or both.

[JulieBoolie]

When you drop the angle, do you pull the stylet out some before you thread? Or thread with cannula and stylet the 1/8th inch or so before pushing the catheter in?

For me it seems like the catheter just won't thread. I prefer the one-handed method but find myself doing the two-handed. Or having it barely in the vein, attaching the extension and floating it in.

I appreciate all the help.