DOES ANYONE know what the procedure is called when IV can not be obtained......

I remember hearing about this in Pedi, I think. It's called intraosseus (sp?) something or other. When IV access cannot be obtained, this route is used to ensure or replace hydration.

I watched a procedure where an IV could not be obtained so the Doctor had to go thru the bone to gain access to hydrate a patient. What is this called?

April

Intraosseous access. We use either the sternum or the tibia bone. :)

http://apps.med.buffalo.edu/procedures/intraosseusvascular.asp?p=12

Exactly! from the Latin intra =within osseous (bone). Would you believe I have never seen this done?

It's actually an easy procedure. It just sounds gruesome. :)

I saw this done on a 2 month old baby and it was the most difficult thing to watch. I really appreciuate everyones input.

THANKS, your friend in this big nursing world

APRIL

I've done IOs before, and it looks gruesome but its truly not that bad. The needle is sort of a corkscrew shape so it pops right into the cavity in the bone... and generally a kid is *very* critical to need this type of access, so comfort isn't as much of an issue.

They teach you this skill in PALS (pedi advanced life support), should you have the opportunity to take that. I highly recommend it.

well....i got a name for that.....painful....ouch.