can't necessarily feel or see a vein?Would like to know if it's worth it to invest in one for those "difficult sticks."
Gr8Dane 122 Posts Specializes in Med/Surg. Aug 14, 2008 I've found them near worthless most of the time. Not worth the money IMO.
Quaffetti 76 Posts Has 15 years experience. Aug 14, 2008 I have also found them basically worthless. I don't even think they work on light skin or any skin for that matter.
Zee_RN, BSN, RN 951 Posts Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care. Has 17 years experience. Aug 14, 2008 Good to know. I was wondering the same thing when my staff asked me to start two difficult patients yesterday (one I got; one I didn't). I got the dark skinned individual but the other obese patient who had very very thick skin (his family even commented on his "alligator hide") I missed. He didn't even bleed when I stuck him, his skin was so thick.
iluvivt, BSN, RN 2,773 Posts Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion. Has 32 years experience. Aug 15, 2008 They work well with neonates to locate a vein but you still need the skill to access and thread the catheter. Not so useful in the adult population. On dark-skinned individuals you sometimes have to be patient and find a vein by palpation. alot of times they are there,just not visible. Sometimes they can be extremely difficult to find and this is a situation where you can call an IV nurse (if available) to access with Ultrasound or place a PICC.
