PIV
Express Learning Breakout
.jpg "Jennifer Thompson, BSN, RN, EMT-P, VA-BC™ photo")
Jennifer Thompson, BSN, RN, EMT-P, VA-BC™
Vascular Access Manager
Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South
Nothing to Disclose
The insertion of a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) is the most common invasive surgical procedure performed world-wide with the highest failure rate. There are many known contributing factors for this high PIV failure rate. Some of which are catheter dislodgement, poor dressing integrity, infection, phlebitis, and mechanical failure. Many hospital systems have adopted the policy of removing PIVs only when clinically indicated, but have failed to implement the necessary changes to ensure maximum dwell time. The question remained that if we do our best to mitigate the contributing factors for the PIV failure rate will the PIV dwell time improve? By improving the adherence of the dressing, adding microbial protection at the insertion site, and securing the catheter under the dressing we were able to significantly increase the dwell time of PIVs. Standardizing PIV insertion, care, and maintenance will improve a PIVs dwell time while improving our patient's hospital experience. Not all catheters are created equal, but shouldn't they all be treated equal? It may take time, money, and resources initially but aren't our patients vessels worth the PRICE!