Management pathway for insertion of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) incorporating Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA).

Did you know up to 59% of patients with cancer have difficult intravenous access (DIVA)? This means it is more challenging to successfully insert a peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) without employing advanced techniques such as using ultrasound. Patients can endure multiple attempts, sometimes up to 8-10 times to successfully insert a PIVC. This further contributes to poor vein health and patient experience.

The latest topic of the CNSA Vascular Access Devices: Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines detail recommendations for vessel health and preservation – a contemporary strategy for clinical practice to preserve the health of patient’s veins for current and future use; device selection – inserting the most appropriate device in the first instance; and management of patients with DIVA.

Standardised, evidence-based practice enhances vascular access outcomes. If a simple and quick assessment of every patient is done prior to insertion of a PIVC, patients with DIVA can be identified and appropriately managed at the outset preventing multiple sticks! Want to know more about this simple assessment and what to do after that? Click here for the Management pathway for insertion of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) incorporating Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA).

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