Right Visualization Technologies (Near Infrared and Ultrasound)

This chapter considers the role of vein visualization technology in the assessment and insertion of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs), which are the most common vascular access devices (VADs) in hospitalized patients (Alexandrou et al. J Intern Med. 10:530–33 2015; Marsh et al., J Vasc Access. 6:237–44 2015; Kleidon et al., J Paediatr Child Health 55:1214–23, 2019). The Emergency Nurses Association, the Association for Vascular Access, and the Infusion Nurses Society have recommended the use of vein visualization technology. Vein visualization technology enhances users’ skills by allowing them to thoroughly assess the patient’s anatomy and vasculature and more efficiently determine an optimal site for PIVC placement beyond what is visible to the naked eye or achievable using traditional methods (Sánchez-Morago et al., Rev Enferm 33:33–8, 2010). Incorporating vein visualization technology into routine pre-insertion assessment and during PIVC placement has been shown to increase nurse’s confidence with IV insertion, increase first-attempt success rates, and decrease total procedure time (Eren and Caliskan, Cancer Nurs 45:105, 2021; Guillon et al., Haemophilia 21:21–6, 2015; Demir and Inal, Pediatr Emerg Care 35:474–9, 2019).