Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Access

At least 150 to 200 million peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters are placed each year in the United States, while up to 80% of patients receive a PIV during their hospital stay. Unfortunately, many factors may complicate the process of obtaining PIV access, including obesity, IV drug abuse, hypovolemia, and a variety of chronic medical problems. Staff is becoming trained in ultrasound to help facilitate a PIV in patients with difficult or failed PIV access. The success of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheters (USGIVs) has been associated with significant reductions in central venous catheter placement in the emergency department as well as enhanced patient satisfaction.