Technique
Power Hour Breakout
The Italian Group of Venous Access Devices (GAVeCeLT) has developed the GAVeCeLT algorithm for the choice of the most appropriate venous access device into an expert system (available online and as an app for smartphone), nicknamed DAV-Expert, which is a complete guide for choosing the best venous access in a vast variety of clinical conditions (both in emergency and in elective situations), in different populations of patients (neonates, children, adults). This protocol is based on four fundamental criteria: (a) need for a central vs. a peripheral line; (b) presence/absence of difficult intravenous access (DIVA); (c) expected duration of the access; (d) frequent/infrequent use of the access. One relevant feature of this protocol is the importance given to the safety and comfort of the patient, with a consistent preference for non-invasive strategies (the 'PICC first' approach being one of these.