Right Pediatric Site Selection and Technology

Abstract

Venous access is one of the most basic yet critical components of patient care in both inpatient and ambulatory healthcare settings. Safe and reliable venous access is vital to patients and their families to ensure timely and complication-free treatment. Obtaining reliable access in the pediatric patient can be challenging due to various factors including physical (small, mobile veins, excessive subcutaneous tissue) and emotional (pediatric patients are often less cooperative, especially in the awake patient). The use of ultrasound to insert both peripheral and central venous access devices has improved success rates of insertions and reduced complications associated with insertions. A variety of vascular access options exist, and selection of the most appropriate site helps to ensure vessel health and preservation and should be tailored to each individual patient need. Prior to selecting the insertion site, clinicians should consider the patient’s condition, developmental age (discussed further in Chap. 13), skin condition, previous vascular access history, duration of infusion therapy, and patient preference where possible.