Peripheral Vascular Access Device Insertion

Peripheral vascular access is not only amongst the most frequently encountered skin breaking experience for infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) but also the route that causes the most complications. These peripheral devices play an important role in delivering therapies and providing clinical monitoring of blood physiology. The insertion, use, and care of peripheral vascular access devices (PVADs), including neonatal-short and long peripheral catheters (n-SPC and n-LPC) have direct relevance for patient safety, infant development, pain experiences, parental stress, and satisfaction. This chapter focuses on issues around evaluating blood vessel suitability and device insertion. Chapter 5 considers the use of PVADs, ensuring safe infusions and detecting and managing potentially serious complications such as peripheral intravenous infiltration/extravasation (PIVIE).