One in Three ED Cannulas Are Non-Indicated: What the CathIRU Study Found Across France
Posted
on 30 April 2026
 "One in Three ED Cannulas Are Non-Indicated: What the CathIRU Study Found Across France")
| Study Overview Peripheral IV catheters (PIVCs) are often inserted in emergency departments “just in case.” But when a cannula isn’t used, patients still experience discomfort and potential complications without benefit. The CathIRU study measured how often PIVCs were non-indicated across 81 French emergency departments over 48 hours (April 2025). Adult patients with a newly inserted PIVC were followed for 24 hours to see whether the cannula was used (fluids, IV meds, contrast, blood) or met predefined high-risk deterioration criteria. 3909 PIVCs were analysed. Key Findings 35% of PIVCs were non-indicated, around 1 in 3 cannulas. 38% weren’t used for treatment (unused/IV lock), showing how common “just in case” insertion can be. Low or non-urgent triage was linked to higher odds of a non-indicated PIVC. Lower odds were seen in patients aged 60+, those with known difficult IV access (DIVA), higher acuity presentations, and in EDs with a dedicated vascular access team. Rates varied between EDs, suggesting practice and systems make a real difference. Implications This study points to a clear opportunity to make ED cannulation more intentional, especially for lower-acuity patients. Practical changes could include simple decision prompts before insertion, clearer escalation criteria for patients who truly need anticipatory access, and service supports such as vascular access expertise. The goal is fewer avoidable cannulas while still keeping teams ready for genuine deterioration. Read more:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101674 Authors: Bertrand Drugeon; Nicolas Marjanovic; Gabor Mihala; Sabrina Seguin; Guillaume Batiot; Victor Rouschmeyer; Camille Gerlier; Olivier Peyrony; Sophie Lefebvre; Jérémy Guenezan; Olivier Mimoz; CathIRU Group |
