The AccuVein Learning Center is your go-to place for information on Vein Illumination, Venipuncture and training for the AccuVein product line. The Learning Center provides the latest news, video training and documentation downloads.
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Tourniquet Time for PIV Blood DrawQuestions are often posed about whether to wait until all blood samples are collected before releasing the tourniquet and applying the dressing to the IV site. The 2016 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice does state that tourniquet time should be limited to 1 minute. Find out more information about why from Cora Vizcarra in her Infusion... -
Taking Steps to Prevent Infiltrations in ChildrenThe incidence of infiltration can occur quickly and cause a great deal of damage. Complications of infiltration can include localized swelling and discomfort, compartment syndrome and necrosis. In an effort to reduce the incidence of infiltration an evidence based practice change project (EBPCP) was tested. The EBPCP included a comprehensive education plan focused on guidelines... -
Considerations When Selecting an IV NeedleOne of the of the important considerations when starting an IV is the needle size. IV needles are sized by gauges, and the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the needle. "The goal when selecting the proper gauge of an peripheral IV catheter is to ensure that the best device meets the patient’s needs. This means taking into consideration... -
Long Term Care Hospital Readmissions An Issue… Adopt Vein Illumination!At long term care facilities access to veins can mean the difference between keeping the patient in the facility and being forced to readmit them to the hospital. Venipuncture is the most common invasive medical procedure and is increasingly difficult on the elderly. Attempts for access can fail and in the geriatric patient group these... -
FDA Suggests Injectors Familiarize Themselves With The Patient's Anatomy"The FDA is alerting health care providers and consumers about the possibility of rare, but serious, injuries that may occur due to unintentional injection of soft tissue filler into blood vessels in the face". New labeling requirements have been implemented by the FDA regarding soft tissue fillers and with these changes the FDA suggests: "Make sure... -
The Tech Behind Tattoo-GateWe’ve been watching the latest tech scandal, Tattoo-Gate, with interest. Not simply for the entertainment value, but because it's about technology that we know a great deal about – the optical characteristics of blood and the surrounding tissue. AccuVein uses the same bit of physics magic to... -
Don't Touch Your FaceTouching your face is a common behavior and it can be difficult to realize it is happening. By touching your face you can be exposing yourself to contaminants from your surroundings and/or exposing your patients to illness if you are not well. " A behavioral observation study was undertaken involving medical students at the University of... -
IV Needles That Are Too Small Can Be UnreliableFred Mihm M.D., a Stanford doctor who is involved in Global Health medical missions just returned from India where he and a surgical team provided free surgical care for children with cleft lip/palate defects. Dr. Mihm brought along an AccuVein AV400 device to not only help on patients with difficult to find veins but also to... -
Heat Use During Peripheral IV InsertionThe Journal of Infusion Nursing reported in their November/December 2014 issue that a survey was completed that looked at the common practices regarding heat use during PIV catheter insertion. Of the 907 healthcare workers who responded, 73% reported using heat at least sometimes to facilitate IV insertion. Only 6% reported always using heat. When...
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Tips for Avoiding CLABSIsReducing the the number of unnecessary central lines done at your facility is the first step in avoiding central line associated bloodstream infections or CLABSIs. This can be done by improving IV insertion techniques through training and enforcement or standard operating procedures. Vein illumination has also been proven to reduce IV access escalations by 45%... -
Australian Red Cross Looks at Vein Visualization for Blood DrawThe Australian Red Cross has done a study on the use of vein visualization for blood draw. AccuVein was among the devices they examined in the study. The key results of the study were as follows: 53.4% return donors receiving vein visualization technology report that they would be more likely to donate blood if this... -
Avoiding Inadvertent Arterial PunctureThough it is rare to puncture an artery in an attempt to cannulate a vein, it does happen. The brachial artery is located near the basilic vein, and is one that is of importance since it is in an area that may be selected for venipuncture. Because arteries are deeper than veins these events... -
The Use Of Alcohol SwabsHow many times should an alcohol swab be used? An alcohol swab should only be used once. Though alcohol is a disinfectant once the swab has been removed from it's package it is no longer sterile. It is important to use care while handling the swab and make sure only to use it on... -
IV Dwell Times and Phlebitis DevelopmentThis topic has been revisited several times by several outlets. Should IVs be left alone and not changed unless there is cause or reason to change them? Well a recent study attempted to link IV dwell times with Phlebitis development and found... "The results of this study show that catheters can be used for longer... -
Use of Blood Pressure Cuff in Place of a TourniquetWe've heard that BP cuffs are occasionally used in lieu of a tourniquet a when starting an IV. Inflating and releasing to about 30-40mm Hg tends to provide sufficient distention without increased discomfort to the patient. When using a blood pressure cuff instead of a tourniquet, care must be exercised not to start the...
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Independent Study Finds 45% Fewer Escalations with AccuVeinUF Health Shands Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report top-ranked children’s hospital, recently completed a study which took place in six nursing units, evaluating the impact of AccuVein vein visualization on the number of times it was necessary to escalate a PIV start to central resource staff. Study results showed a 45% reduction in... -
Doctor's Tip For Cannulating A Difficult Bariatric PatientCannulating a bariatric patient can be very difficult due to excess adipose tissue. It is important to do a full assessment to locate a suitable vein. AccuVein vein visualization technology can help with locating and assessing suitable veins in all patients, including those that are heavy-set or obese. But sometimes there are those cases where the veins are... -
Is it less painful to look away during venipuncture ?Almost three quarters of patients spontaneously look away during venipuncture. Does this help to minimize the pain? It turns out that pain ratings of these patients are almost twice that of the quarter of patients who look. It is unclear why this may be, but previous experimental studies indicate that observing the body when a... -
SepsisSepsis is a consequence of infection that can be difficult to identify and treat. According to the CDC, "patients who develop sepsis have an increased risk of complications and death and face higher healthcare costs and longer treatment". Sepsis "stems from another medical condition such as an infection in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, abdomen...
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Inserting IVs In The ElderlyElderly patients can be even more difficult to cannulate and are more likely to bruise than younger patients. Aging causes reduced circulation and deterioration of the vein walls. These tips are suggested to increase effectiveness of cannulation attempts and reduce the possibility of bruising. Be gentle Use the smallest catheter possible Go in shallow Anchor the vein to stabilize... -
In Honor of Nurses WeekIn honor of Nurses Week we wanted to share this article which we think captures the caring and devotion of the nursing profession. Thanks to all the nurses out there for all you do! The article care be found here. -
Avoiding Nerves During VenipunctureIt is important to avoid nerves while performing venipuncture. Knowing where they are located and how they differ from the vasculature can assist a clinician in identifying and avoiding nerves while performing venipuncture. Two nerves that are located in common areas for venipuncture are the radial and median nerves. "The radial nerve passes along... -
Intravenous Solution ShortageYou wouldn't expect that the national crisis with “drug shortages” would include large volume (1000mL) IV solutions commonly administered to patients, but there actually is such a shortage. IV saline solution in particular is on the list of national drug shortages and the shortage is not expected to resolve until May or June... -
Vein Visualization Recommended to Improve Safety PracticesRecently the Infusion Nurses Society convened a task force of infusion therapy experts to develop recommendations to improve health care practitioner and patient safety. The findings of this task force includes their recommendation to, "Incorporate vein visualization technology as a routine strategy for patients with poor or difficult venous access." They go on to state...
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Rare Bacteria Outbreak at Outpatient Oncology FacilityInfection control today reported that a recent outbreak of a rare bacteria was tied to a lapse in infection control procedures. There was an outbreak of Tsukamurella blood stream infections, which is caused by Gram-positive bacteria and rarely effects humans. The outbreak was linked to the improper handling of saline at a West Virginia... -
Fear of Needles is a Common PhobiaWhen researching fear of needles we find that not only do approximately 20 percent of the general population have some degree of fear associated with needles and injections, but that it's such a widespread fear that we've come across these six medical terms that are related to this fear: · Aichmophobia: an intense or morbid fear...
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Blood ExposureMany jobs have occupational hazards but being a nurse is one occupation that carries the possibility of blood exposure or exposure to other bodily fluids. One of the many reasons that nursing is not for the faint of heart. With roughly 385,000 annual needle stick sharps injuries in the United States it is possible... -
Re-siting PIVs - based on time or indications?Many facilities have policies requiring clinicians to remove and re-site a Peripheral IV within a given period of time. As a clinician, have you ever wondered if this is actually helps the patient avoid complications? The CDC's Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter related Infections indicates that: 1. There is no need to replace peripheral... -
Should Infusion Teams be part of Acute Care Hospitals?Infusion therapy is invasive and touches virtually all patients entering the hospital. Given its importance, the current rates of infusion therapy complications, as well as the costs and the waste associated with it, a thorough assessment should be made of a facility’s’ outcomes related to infusion services. This is the opinion expressed in an... -
Apply Dry Or Wet Heat To Increase Palpability?When you have a patient whose veins are not particularly palpable, sometimes it is a good idea to apply heat to the area which will increase blood flow and make the veins juicier. So would you typically reach for a warm wet rag or a dry heat source? There is a study that shows "dry...