Patients’ Experiences with Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Catheter Insertion

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a routine but often challenging procedure, especially for patients with difficult venous access (DIVA). Traditional methods frequently result in multiple failed attempts, pain, and distress. This study explores patient experiences with ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion, comparing it to traditional techniques.

Study Overview
Researchers conducted a qualitative study at a 980-bed Australian metropolitan hospital, interviewing 13 patients who received ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion. Themes from patient interviews highlighted improved success rates, reduced discomfort, and the need for more trained specialists and equipment.

Key Findings
Higher success rates & reduced pain: Patients reported a stark contrast between ultrasound-guided and traditional cannulation, with the former reducing discomfort, stress, and anxiety.
Expertise matters: Patients praised the DIVA team’s skill and communication, leading to a smoother experience.
Limited resources remain a challenge: Lack of trained personnel and equipment caused delays, impacting patient care.
Ignoring past experiences leads to distress: Many patients felt their previous difficulties were overlooked, resulting in unnecessary failed attempts.

Clinical Implications

• Investing in ultrasound technology can enhance patient outcomes.
• Training more clinicians in ultrasound-guided insertion can reduce complications.
• Listening to patient history can improve first-attempt success rates.

Conclusion
Ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion offers a more comfortable and successful experience for patients with DIVA. However, better resource allocation and training are needed to ensure widespread implementation.

Authors: Renz Rivera, Steve He, Craig McManus, Nicholas Mifflin, Ton Tran, Lorenza Harrowell, Karla Kuzmins, John Rihari-Thomas, Peta Drury, Steven A. Frost, Evan Alexandrou