'Marking' for IV sticks, safe?

[Levitas, BSN, RN]

I've been reviewing different vein finding products this morning, and it seems the cheapest route would be a red LED flashlight. The problem with them is, they work better in lower light settings. So you can see the vessel well enough in the dark, but I wouldn't want to stick someone without light, so...

I'm wondering, is there a product out there, that we can use to mark the skin prior to puncturing it, that will not cause harm to the patient?

Are sterile surgical markers safe to use prior to puncture?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Our docs ultrasound, mark with Sharpies, then CHG scrub, then stick for line placements. No issues.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

We use the disposable surgical markers when using the light for art sticks.

[AJJKRN]

Not trying to be mean but what happened to successful IV starts obtained by skill, especially in adults?

[Levitas, BSN, RN]

Not trying to be mean but what happened to successful IV starts obtained by skill, especially in adults?

Lol.

Don't worry, I've got thick skin.

The idea of using the light/markings is towards those who are difficult sticks. I've only 18 months experience, but I'm pretty proficient at starting IV's. When someone needs an IV, I'm usually first up to volunteer.

Even with all of the practice, there are times I just simple cannot see, or palpate a vessel. Rather than asking someone from another department, I'm trying to use these tools to accomplish the task without consistently sticking the patient, or having to bother another department for assistance.

So, to answer your question, obtaining IV access by skill is still very much the popular choice, and will always be my first choice. However, I'm also not against utilizing extra measures to ensure my patient is cared for as needed.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Go into your pre-op area or surgery area and pick up the purple ink surgical markers. You need to let them dry for 3 minutes then you can prep it with CHG after and it still may smear a bit but a lot less. You can also make a skin indent (press and hold down for a bit) by using the bottom end of a needle cap or using the sterile end cap that you use to cover IV tubing.

[A~L~B]

We have an infrared vein finder at work. I stick in the dark. But I also work pedi and always have a second set of hands in the room to turn on the light when I need it.

[AJJKRN]

Lol.

Don't worry, I've got thick skin.

The idea of using the light/markings is towards those who are difficult sticks. I've only 18 months experience, but I'm pretty proficient at starting IV's. When someone needs an IV, I'm usually first up to volunteer.

Even with all of the practice, there are times I just simple cannot see, or palpate a vessel. Rather than asking someone from another department, I'm trying to use these tools to accomplish the task without consistently sticking the patient, or having to bother another department for assistance.

So, to answer your question, obtaining IV access by skill is still very much the popular choice, and will always be my first choice. However, I'm also not against utilizing extra measures to ensure my patient is cared for as needed.

My facility has used multiple types of vein finders and just bought every floor a very expensive new age vein finder within the past six months. Still hate the darn things. It doesn't work on furry people (I'm furry by the way) or light skinned people (also light skinned by the way). I've also found that the machines in no way can show you how deep the vein is if they do find it nor how big the actual vein is when it sees one...it tends to show tiny veins much larger than they really are. This is the reason why I'm not a fan of these vein finders. If they are truly a hard stick then get me the excellent Ed/ICU/NICU RN that has access to a Doppler vein finder and knows how to use it!

[Levitas, BSN, RN]

I ended up buying a pretty powerful/compact LED flashlight that has white, and red LED's. It works great! I used it today on a patient with no palpable, or visible (beyond the flashlight) veins, and successfully started her IV. I'm beyond thrilled :)