The insertion of a vascular access device (VAD) is one of the most common invasive procedures performed in the hospital setting, however a number of factors across adult and paediatric populations including age, weight extremes, comorbidities, previous difficult intravenous access, and site selection for current VAD can significantly impact overall insertion success and maintenance of a device.1,2   Dedicated vascular access teams are made up of competent clinicians trained to maxi...

The emergency department is a fast-paced, hectic and often unpredictable environment. In the 2019-2020 financial year, Australian EDs treated 8,236,159 patients, reviewing an average of 22,600 patients per day (1). Often working under duress and having to make clinical decisions within a very narrow timeframe, ED clinicians must quickly identify what a critically unwell patient needs in order to be stabilised (2,3). Achieving vascular access usually means urgent insertion of a peripheral ...

Addie, an 8-month old infant with osteomyelitis, needs IV access for 3 weeks of antibiotics. What device will best ensure successful therapy and low risk of complications? Liam, a 14 year old with cystic fibrosis, is hospitalized for the third time this year with an acute exacerbation. Despite multiple efforts by experienced clinicians, an IV cannot be successfully placed in a peripheral vein. Frustrated, the nurse says, "Let's just put in a PICC". Is this the best cho...

Here, guest blogger from the UK, Maya Guerrero, RN, VACNS (@CNS_IVnurse) presents her recent experience playing a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in a Critical Care COVID19-positive patient in prone position, using ECG technology. What first was a "daunting idea" and a "scary thought process", planning the strategy I would take for the execution of my very first "PICC placement on a pronated-ventilated-patient" became what I would now consider a...