Vein Visualisation Technology for Peripheral Intravenous Access in Paediatric Patients: A Clinical Decision-Making Tool.
Elizabeth Weathers, Mary Cazzell, Julie A Thompson and 2 others
PMID 39422343WHAT IT FOUND
Paediatric IV device choice in a specialised team was linked to age, BMI and access site: near-infrared was more likely to help first-attempt success over age 2, transilluminator for underweight under 2.
It is a decision tool, not proof of improved success.
Key findings
01A preliminary clinical decision-making tool was developed from chi-square comparisons of first-attempt success across 16 patient groups defined by age, BMI and access site.
02For children older than 2 years, near-infrared was more likely to result in first-attempt success regardless of BMI or access site.
03For underweight children younger than 2 years, the transilluminator was the most optimal device.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The data came from one paediatric centre and a specialised vascular access team, so they may not apply to frontline nurses or other units. Two patient groups had fewer than 20 cases, and the authors note that larger predictive modelling is needed before the tool can be confirmed. The study developed and correlated a tool; it did not test whether using the tool improves first-attempt success, dwell time, pain or costs. Gender and skin tone were omitted from the tool because they did not differentiate device use in this dataset.
Declared interests
Elizabeth Weathers was formerly employed as Director of Medical and Clinical Affairs with AccuVein Inc., a vein visualisation technology company, and Julie Thompson provides ad-hoc statistical consultancy services for AccuVein Inc. The authors state they took measures to mitigate any influence on design, conduct, analysis and reporting.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that near-infrared or transilluminator will improve first-attempt success for all nurses. The recommendations come from a single centre observational analysis of a specialised vascular access team, the tool was not tested prospectively for outcome improvement, and the authors disclosed relationships with a vein visualisation company.