ED technicians can successfully place ultrasound-guided intravenous catheters in patients with poor vascular access

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess the success rate of emergency department (ED) technicians in placing ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters.

Methods

In this prospective, observational trial, 19 ED technicians were taught to use US guidance to obtain IV access. Training sessions consisted of didactic instruction and hands-on practice. The ED technicians were then prospectively followed. The US guidance for IV access was limited to patients with difficult access. The primary outcome was successful peripheral IV placement.

Results

A total of 219 attempts were recorded, with a success rate of 78.5% (172/219). There was a significant correlation between operator experience and success rate. Complications were reported in 4.1% of patients and included 5 arterial punctures and 1 case of a transient paresthesia.

Conclusions

Emergency department technicians can be taught to successfully place US-guided IVs in patients with difficult venous access. Teaching this skill to ED technicians increases the pool of providers available in the ED to obtain access in this patient population.     

Ultrasound‐assisted peripheral vascular access in a paediatric ED

Objectives: To assess the implementation and utility of US for assisting peripheral venous access in a paediatric ED. Methods: A prospective, observational study of a convenience sample comparing the landmark and US‐guided technique for peripheral vascular access in children from July 2006 to February 2007. Clinicians involved under went 3 months of training in US physics and with practical models. Clinicians estimated the degree of difficulty of insertion (using a Likert scale) before each line placement. Data including time of procedure and success or failure were collected, using a standardized clinical record form, by an observing researcher. Results: A total of 84 patients were enrolled. There were 61 line placement episodes in the landmark group (with 253 attempts), and 38 in the US group (with 90 attempts). US recorded slightly higher success per attempt overall (42% vs 38%, P= 0.08), and performed better in the patients with difficult access (success 35% vs 18%, P= 0.003). US attempts took longer than landmark attempts (2 min 15 s vs 4 min, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The US guidance may improve the success rate of peripheral vascular access in children rated to have difficult or very difficult vascular access.     

A Prospective Comparison of Ultrasound-guided and Blindly Placed Radial Arterial Catheters

Background
Arterial cannulation for continuous blood-pressure measurement and frequent arterial-blood sampling commonly are required in critically ill patients.
Objectives
To compare ultrasound (US)-guided versus traditional palpation placement of arterial lines for time to placement, number of attempts, sites used, and complications.
Methods
This was a prospective, randomized interventional study at a Level 1 academic urban emergency department with an annual census of 78,000 patients. Patients were randomized to either palpation or US-guided groups. Inclusion criteria were any adult patient who required an arterial line according to the treating attending. Patients who had previous attempts at an arterial line during the visit, or who could not be randomized because of time constraints, were excluded. Enrollment was on a convenience basis, during hours worked by researchers over a six-month period. Patients in either group who had three failed attempts were rescued with the other technique for patient comfort. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and Student's t-tests.
Results
Sixty patients were enrolled, with 30 patients randomized to each group. Patients randomized to the US group had a shorter time required for arterial line placement (107 vs. 314 seconds; difference, 207 seconds; p = 0.0004), fewer placement attempts (1.2 vs. 2.2; difference, 1; p = 0.001), and fewer sites required for successful line placement (1.1 vs. 1.6; difference, 0.5; p = 0.001), as compared with the palpation group.
Conclusions
In this study, US guidance for arterial cannulation was successful more frequently and it took less time to establish the arterial line as compared with the palpation method.     

What You See (Sonographically) Is What You Get: Vein and Patient Characteristics Associated With Successful Ultrasound‐guided Peripheral Intravenous Placement in Patients With Difficult Access

Objectives: Ultrasound (US) has been shown to facilitate peripheral intravenous (IV) placement in emergency department (ED) patients with difficult IV access (DIVA). This study sought to define patient and vein characteristics that affect successful US‐guided peripheral IV placement. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of US‐guided IV placement in a convenience sample of DIVA patients in an urban, tertiary care ED. DIVA patients were defined as having any of the following: at least two failed IV attempts or a history of difficult access plus the inability to visualize or palpate any veins on physical exam. Patient characteristics (demographic information, vital signs, and medical history) were collected on enrolled patients. The relationships between patient characteristics, vein depth and diameter, US probe orientation, and successful IV placement were analyzed. Results: A total of 169 patients were enrolled, with 236 attempts at access. Increasing vessel diameter was associated with a higher likelihood of success (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79 per 0.1‐cm increase in vessel diameter, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37 to 2.34). Increasing vessel depth did not affect success rates (OR = 0.96 per 0.1‐cm increase of depth, 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.04) until a threshold depth of 1.6 cm, beyond which no vessels were successfully cannulated. Probe orientation and patient characteristics were unrelated to success. Conclusions: Success was solely related to vessel characteristics detected with US and not influenced by patient characteristics or probe orientation. Successful DIVA was primarily associated with larger vessel, while vessel depth up to >1.6 cm and patient characteristics were unrelated to success. Clinically, if two vessels are identified at a depth of <1.6 cm, the larger diameter vessel, even if comparatively deeper, should yield the greatest likelihood of success.     

Predictors of success in nurse-performed ultrasound-guided cannulation

The objective of this study was to characterize factors affecting the success rate of nurse-performed ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral vein cannulation in difficult access patients. We prospectively enrolled patients who had two previous unsuccessful i.v. attempts. Nurses were trained in US-guided cannulation using a 7.5-MHz linear probe. The following characteristics were recorded: 1) reason for difficult access, 2) which upper arm veins could be sonographically visualized, 3) cannulation success, and 4) one- or two-person technique used. One hundred patients were enrolled. The cannulation success rate was 63%. Cannulation of the basilic vein was successful in 39 of 55 attempts (71%), whereas the success rate for the brachial vein was only 19 of 46 attempts (41%). The reason for difficult access and the one- or two-person technique did not affect success rate. The basilic vein was the best choice for cannulation, and the one-person technique was as successful as the two-person technique.     

Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Venous Access vs. the External Jugular Vein as the Initial Approach to the Patient with Difficult Vascular Access

Background: Traditionally, Emergency Physicians (EPs) have used the external jugular (EJ) vein to gain vascular access in patients who have failed nursing attempts at peripheral access. Recently, some EPs have used ultrasound (USIV) to gain peripheral access. Study Objective: This study seeks to determine which initial approach by EPs would lead to greater success. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized study of all adult patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) between June and December 2007. Inclusion criteria were failed nursing attempts at peripheral access (at least three). EPs were 2^nd- or 3^rd-year residents who had previously performed more than five each of EJs and USIVs. Patients were randomized into either an initial EJ or USIV approach. Results: Sixty patients were enrolled, 32 in the ultrasound group, 28 in the EJ group. Fifteen different EPs performed access. Initial Success: USIV 84% (95% confidence interval [CI] 68–93%) vs. EJ 50% (95% CI 33–67%), p = 0.006. Success if EJ visible: USIV 84% vs. EJ 66% (p = 0.18). Overall success, including data from the crossover pathway: a total of 41 lines were successfully placed by ultrasound out of 46 attempts (89%) vs. 18 out of 33 for EJ (55%), p = 0.001. In total, 59/60 patients (98%) had a peripheral i.v. successfully placed. The percentage of functioning lines when the patient left the ED was: USIV 89% (95% CI 72–96%) vs. EJ 93% (95% CI 68–98%), p = 0.88. Conclusion: As an initial approach to all patients with difficult venous access, ultrasound-guided peripheral lines are superior to the EJ approach. However if the EJ was visible, there was no difference in success among the initial approaches. Both techniques, when used together, could achieve peripheral vascular access in 98% of difficult access patients.     

Ultrasound-Guided Reduction of Distal Radius Fractures

Background: Ultrasound (US) may provide the emergency physician with the ability to do real-time assessment of fracture reduction adequacy. Objectives: To assess whether US guidance aids in determining the adequacy of distal radius fracture reduction in the emergency department (ED), and to compare the rates of successful reduction with and without US. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients who underwent US-guided reduction of a distal radius fracture, compared to a historical cohort without US guidance. After performing US-guided reduction, but before post-reduction radiographs, physicians filled out a form stating whether reduction was successful or unsuccessful. Successful radiographic reduction was determined by two orthopedic surgeons based on radiographic findings. Main outcome measures were the sensitivity and specificity of US-guided ED physician assessment of successful reduction, and reduction success compared against the historical cohort. Results: We enrolled 46 patients in the US-guided group and compared them to 44 patients in the historical cohort. Pre-reduction characteristics were similar in both groups. Physician assessment of reduction success by US had a sensitivity of 94% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88–98%) and specificity of 56% (95% CI 31–71%) for identifying a successful reduction on post-reduction radiographs. The overall success rates of the US-guided and control groups were similar (83% and 80%, respectively). Conclusions: Physicians had a high sensitivity in predicting adequate reduction of distal radius fractures using US guidance in the ED. The overall rate of successful fracture reduction was similar with or without US. Further study may determine whether US guidance reduces the time spent in the ED for fracture reduction.     

Short-axis versus Long-axis Approaches for Teaching Ultrasound-guided Vascular Access on a New Inanimate Model

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a short-axis (SA) or long-axis (LA) ultrasound (US) approach to guidance for line placement results in faster vascular access for novice US users. Also, to assess if there was a difference in the number of skin penetrations and needle redirections between the two guidance techniques. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, observational study of emergency medicine (EM) residents at a Level I trauma center. A gelatin dessert and dietary fiber supplement mixture, providing a realistic US image, were placed inside a synthetic arm skin that is used for training phlebotomists and contains a rubber vein filled with red fluid at a depth of 1.5 cm. After a 30-minute tutorial on US-guided vascular access, EM residents were randomized to one of two groups. Group one attempted SA first and then the LA. Group two tried LA first followed by the SA. Time from skin break to vein cannulation, number of skin breaks and needle redirections, and difficulty of access on a 10-point Likert scale as reported by residents were recorded. Statistical analysis included paired Student's t-test with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: Seventeen EM residents participated. The mean times to vein cannulation in SA and LA were 2.36 minutes (95% CI = 1.15 to 3.58) and 5.02 minutes (95% CI = 2.90 to 7.13), respectively (p = 0.03). The mean numbers of skin breaks for SA and LA were 4.18 (95% CI = 1.18 to 7.17) and 5.76 (95% CI = 1.83 to 9.69), respectively (p = 0.49). The mean numbers of needle redirections in the SA and LA were 13.71 (95% CI = 4.51 to 22.89) and 18.17 (95% CI = 7.95 to 28.40), respectively (p = 0.51). The mean difficulty scores for SA and LA were 3.99 (95% CI = 2.42 to 5.67) and 5.86 (95% CI = 4.32 to 7.40), respectively (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Novice US users obtain vascular access faster with an SA approach on an inanimate model.     

Single-operator Ultrasound-guided Intravenous Line Placement by Emergency Nurses Reduces the Need for Physician Intervention in Patients with Difficult-to-establish Intravenous Access

Background

Emergency physicians (EPs) have become facile with ultrasound-guided intravenous line (USIV) placement in patients for whom access is difficult to achieve, though the procedure can distract the EP from other patient care activities.

Objectives

We hypothesize that adequately trained Emergency Nurses (ENs) can effectively perform single-operator USIV placement with less physician intervention than is required with blind techniques.

Methods

This was a prospective multicenter pilot study. Interested ENs received a 2-h tutorial from an experienced EP. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had either two failed blind peripheral intravenous (i.v.) attempts, or if they reported or had a known history of difficult i.v. placement. Consenting patients were assigned to have either EN USIV placement or standard of care (SOC).

Results

Fifty patients were enrolled, of which 29 were assigned to USIV and 21 to SOC. There were no significant differences in age, race, gender, or reason for inclusion. Physicians were called to assist in 11/21 (52.4%) of SOC cases and 7/29 (24.1%) of USIV cases (p = 0.04). Mean time to i.v. placement (USIV 27.6 vs. SOC 26.4 minutes, p = 0.88) and the number of skin punctures (USIV 2.0 vs. SOC 2.1, p = 0.70) were not significantly different. Patient satisfaction was higher in the USIV group, though the difference did not reach statistical significance (USIV 86.2% vs. SOC 63.2%, p = 0.06). Patient perception of pain on a 10-point scale was also similar (USIV 4.9 vs. SOC 5.5, p = 0.50).

Conclusions

ENs performing single-operator USIV placement in patients with difficult-to-establish i.v. access reduces the need for EP intervention.     

Unnecessary intravenous access in the emergency setting

Objective. To determine the rate of unnecessary intravenous (IV) access in the emergency setting. Methods. Retrospective chart review of all patients who presented to a rural, academic emergency department (ED) for the study period of June 1 through June 10, 1997. Categorical data and elapsed time to treatment are reported significant at p < 0.05. Results. 1,342 charts were reviewed; of these, 940 patients were enrolled. 402 patients were excluded for: age <18 years, direct admission, or inadequate charting. Emergency medical services (EMS) transported 278 patients and initiated 84 IVs in the field (30%). 90 of the remaining EMS patients had IV access initiated in the ED (32%). 662 patients presented by other means and 175 were given IVs (26%). Of the IVs initiated in the field, 32 (38%) were used, whereas 122 (46%) of the ED-initiated IVs were used. When all data were combined, only 154 (44.0%) of the 349 patients who had IV access obtained received treatment through the IV. The elapsed time to treatment for patients with IVs initiated by EMS but treatment in the ED was 25.9 minutes, which was not different from that for patients who received both IV and treatment in the ED (28.3 minutes). Conclusions. A significant percentage of IVs initiated in the emergency setting are used inappropriately. IV access without treatment in the field did not improve elapsed time to treatment once patients arrived to the ED. In an era of diminishing health care budgets, further study and strict examination of the cost-benefit ratio ensure maximal utilization of emergent IV access.     

Success of Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Intravenous Access with Skin Marking

Objectives:  The most effective technique for ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access (USGPIVA) is unknown. In the traditional short-axis technique (locate, align, puncture [LAP]), the target vessel is aligned in short axis with the center of the transducer. The needle is then directed toward the target under real-time ultrasound (US) guidance. Locate, align, mark, puncture (LAMP) requires the extra step of marking the skin at two points over the path of the vein and proceeding with direct visualization as in LAP. The difference in success between these two techniques was compared among variably experienced emergency physician and emergency nurse operators.
Methods:  Subjects in an urban academic emergency department (ED) were randomized to obtain intravenous (IV) access using either LAP or LAMP after two failed blind attempts. Primary outcomes were success of the procedure and time to complete the procedure in variably experienced operators.
Results:  A total of 101 patients were enrolled. There was no difference in success between LAP and LAMP, even among the least experienced operators. Of successful attempts, LAMP took longer than LAP (median 4 minutes, interquartile range [IQR] 4–10.5 vs. median 2.9 minutes, IQR 1.6–7; p = 0.004). Only the most experienced operators were associated with higher levels of success (first attempt odds ratio [OR] 6.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2 to 22). Overall success with up to two attempts was 73%. Complications included a 2.8% arterial puncture rate and 12% infiltration rate.
Conclusions:  LAMP did not improve success of USGPIVA in variably experienced operators. Experience was associated with higher rates of success for USGPIVA.     

Ultrasound-guidance vs. standard technique in difficult vascular access patients by ED technicians

Purpose

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of emergency department technicians' (EDT) use of ultrasound (US) guided peripheral intravenous (PIV) access compared to the traditional approach on a subset of patients with difficult IV access.

Methods

We enrolled a convenience sample of 75 ED patients with difficult IV access (at least 2 failed PIV attempts). During phase I, EDTs used the standard technique. EDTs then attended a didactic session on ultrasound guided PIV access of the upper extremity. In phase II, the EDTs used US guidance for PIV access. Outcome measures were successful PIV cannulation by an EDT, time to cannulation, medical doctor (MD) or registered nurseRN intervention, complications, patient satisfaction, and number of skin punctures.

Results

Successful cannulation rates were similar (US: 33/41, 80.5%; traditional technique: 24/34, 70.6%) (difference: 9.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -9.3%, 29.1%). US was 2.0 times faster (CI 1.3, 3.1), required less MD/RN intervention (7.3% vs. 20.6%) (difference: 13.3%; CI: -2.5, 30.2%), had fewer complications (41.5% vs. 64.7%, difference: 23.3%; CI 0.6%, 42.7%) and skin punctures (1.6 vs. 3.6; difference: 2.0; CI: 1.6, 2.7), and improved patient satisfaction from 4.4 to 7.7 cm (P-value = .0001).

Conclusions

Following a brief US training for PIV access, EDTs showed similar success rates but US had significantly improved speed and patient satisfaction with fewer skin punctures and complications.     

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement With the Sonic Flashlight

Objective. We describe a case series constituting the first clinical trial by intravenous (IV) team nurses using the sonic flashlight (SF) for ultrasound guidance of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement. Methods. Two IV team nurses with more than 10 years of experience with placing PICCs and 3 to 6 years of experience with ultrasound attempted to place PICCs under ultrasound guidance in patients requiring long‐term IV access. One of two methods of ultrasound guidance was used: conventional ultrasound (CUS; 60 patients) or a new device called the SF (44 patients). The number of needle punctures required to gain IV access was recorded for each patient. Results. In both methods, 87% of the cases resulted in successful venous access on the first attempt. The average number of needle sticks per patient was 1.18 for SF‐guided procedures compared with 1.20 for CUS‐guided procedures. No significant difference was found in the distribution of the number of attempts between the two methods. Anecdotal comments by the nurses indicated the comparative ease of use of the SF display, although the relatively small scale of the SF image compared with the CUS image was also noted. Conclusions. We have shown that the SF is a safe and effective device for guidance of PICC placement in the hands of experienced IV team nurses. The advantage of placing the ultrasound image at its actual location must be balanced against the relatively small scale of the SF image.     

Utilization of Intravenous Catheters by Prehospital Providers during Pediatric Transports

Introduction: Prehospital intravenous (IV) access in children may be difficult and time-consuming. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) protocols often dictate IV placement; however, some IV catheters may not be needed. The scene and transport time associated with attempting IV access in children is unknown. The objective of this study is to examine differences in scene and transport times associated with prehospital IV catheter attempt and utilization patterns of these catheters during pediatric prehospital encounters. Methods: Three non-blinded investigators abstracted EMS and hospital records of children 0–18 years of age transported by EMS to a pediatric emergency department (ED). We compared patients in which prehospital IV access was attempted to those with no documented attempt. Our primary outcome was scene time. Secondary outcomes include utilization of the IV catheter in the prehospital and ED settings and a determination of whether the catheter was indicated based on a priori established criteria (prehospital IV medication administration, hypotension, GCS < 13, and ICU admission). Results: We reviewed 1,138 records, 545 meeting inclusion criteria. IV catheter placement was attempted in 27% (n = 149) with success in 77% (n = 111). There was no difference in the presence of hypotension or median GCS between groups. Mean scene time (12.5 vs. 11.8 minutes) and transport time (16.9 vs. 14.6 minutes) were similar. Prehospital IV medications were given in 38.7% (43/111). One patient received a prehospital IV medication with no alternative route of administration. Among patients with a prehospital IV attempt, 31% (46/149) received IV medications in the ED and 23% (34/396) received IV fluids in the ED. Mean time to use of the IV in the ED was 70 minutes after arrival. Patients with prehospital IV attempt were more likely to receive IV medication within 30 minutes of ED arrival (39.1% vs. 19.0%, p = 0.04). Overall, 34.2% of IV attempts were indicated. Conclusions: Prehospital IV catheter placement in children is not associated with an increase in scene or transport time. Prehospital IV catheters were used in approximately one-third of patients. Further study is needed to determine which children may benefit most from IV access in the prehospital setting.     

Standard-length catheters vs long catheters in ultrasound-guided peripheral vein cannulation

Purpose

Ultrasound (US) is a useful tool for peripheral vein cannulation in patients with difficult venous access. However, few data about the survival of US-guided peripheral catheters in acute care setting exist. Some studies showed that the survival rate of standard-length catheters (SC) is poor especially in obese patients. The use of longer than normal catheters could provide a solution to low survival rate. The aim of the present study was to compare US-guided peripheral SCs vs US-guided peripheral long catheters inserted with Seldinger technique (LC) in acute hospitalized patients with difficult venous access.

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. A total of 100 consecutively admitted subjects in an urban High Dependency Unit were randomized to obtain US-guided intravenous access using either SC or LC after 3 failed blind attempts. Primary outcome was catheter failure rate.

Results

Success rate was 86% in the SC groups and 84% in the LC group (P = .77). Time requested to positioning venous access resulted to be shorter for SC as opposed to LC (9.5 vs 16.8 minutes, respectively; P = .001). Catheter failure was observed in 45% of patients in the SC group and in 14% of patients in the LC group (relative risk, 3.2; P < .001).

Conclusions

Both SC and LC US-guided cannulations have a high success rate in patients with difficult venous access. Notwithstanding a higher time to cannulation, LC US-guided procedure is associated with a lower risk of catheter failure compared with SC US-guided procedure.     

Financial Impact of Emergency Department Ultrasound

Objectives: There is limited information on the financial implications of an emergency department ultrasound (ED US) program. The authors sought to perform a fiscal analysis of an integrated ED US program. Methods: A retrospective review of billing data was performed for fiscal year (FY) 2007 for an urban academic ED with an ED US program. The ED had an annual census of 80,000 visits and 1,101 ED trauma activations. The ED is a core teaching site for a 4-year emergency medicine (EM) residency, has 35 faculty members, and has 24-hour availability of all radiology services including formal US. ED US is utilized as part of evaluation of all trauma activations and for ED procedures. As actual billing charges and reimbursement rates are institution-specific and proprietary information, relative value units (RVUs) and reimbursement based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2007 fee schedule (adjusted for fixed diagnosis-related group [DRG] payments and bad debt) was used to determine revenue generated from ED US. To estimate potential volume, assumptions were made on improvement in documentation rate for diagnostic scans (current documentation rates based on billed volume versus diagnostic studies in diagnostic image database), with no improvements assumed for procedural ED US. Expenses consist of three components—capital costs, training costs, and ongoing operational costs—and were determined by institutional experience. Training costs were considered sunken expenses by this institution and were thus not included in the original return on investment (ROI) calculation, although for this article a second ROI calculation was done with training cost estimates included. For the purposes of analysis, certain key assumptions were made. We utilized a collection rate of 45% and hospitalization rates (used to adjust for fixed DRG payments) of 33% for all diagnostic scans, 100% for vascular access, and 10% for needle placement. An optimal documentation rate of 95% was used to estimate potential revenue. Results: In FY 2007, 486 limited echo exams of abdomen (current procedural terminology [CPT] 76705) and 480 limited echo cardiac exams were performed (CPT 93308) while there were 78 exams for US-guided vascular access (CPT 76937) and 36 US-guided needle placements when performing paracentesis, thoracentesis, or location of abscess for drainage (CPT 76492). Applying the 2007 CMS fee schedule and above assumptions, the revenue generated was 578 RVUs and $35,541 ($12,934 in professional physician fees and $22,607 in facility fees). Assuming optimal documentation rates for diagnostic ED US scans, ED US could have generated 1,487 RVUs and $94,593 ($33,953 in professional physician fees and $60,640 in facility fees). Program expenses include an initial capital expense (estimated at $120,000 for two US machines) and ongoing operational costs ($68,640 per year to cover image quality assurance review, continuing education, and program maintenance). Based on current revenue, there would be an annual operating loss, and thus an ROI cannot be calculated. However, if potential revenue is achieved, the annual operating income will be $22,846 per year with an ROI of 4.9 years to break even with initial investment. Conclusions: Determining an ROI is a required procedure for any business plan for establishing an ED US program. Our analysis demonstrates that an ED US program that captures charges for trauma and procedural US and achieves the potential billing volume breaks even in less than 5 years, at which point it would generate a positive margin.