• All relevant infection control methods to be utilised.
• Prepare equipment required:
  • Cannula
  • 10ml syringe
  • 10ml normal saline for injection
  • 2% CHG 70% Alcohol swab OR 10% povidone-iodine swab
  • Needle-free valve (“bung”)
  • Giving set
  • Single patient use tourniquet
    (peripheral vein only)
  • Transparent IV dressing
  • “Ambulance Inserted” sticker

   

Peripheral IV access

• Select site:
  • Hand, forearm or antecubital fossa (ACF)
  • Fistulas and site used distal to, should only be used as a last resort.
• Select appropriate cannula size
• Apply tourniquet
• Clean insertion site with 2% CHG 70% alcohol swab OR 10% povidone-iodine swab
• Consider local anaesthesia
• Stabilise vein and insert cannula at 30°, bevel up^[1].
  • Maximum of 2 attempts prior to transport.
  • Only 1x IV/IO attempt in cardiac arrest.
• Observe for flash back of blood.
• Reduce angle and advance needle.
• Advance the catheter into the vein until a ‘click’ is heard^[2].
• If obtaining blood sampling, refer to Pre-hospital Blood Sample Collection clinical skill
• Release the tourniquet.
• Dispose of sharp immediately.
• Attach needle-free valve (“bung”).
• Flush the catheter with 5-10ml saline^[3].
• Remove the catheter if pain, haematoma, oedema or extravasation occurs
• Secure catheter using transparent "Emergency" IV dressing; complete time and date label^[4]
• If not using an "Emergency" pre-printed IV dressing, apply “ambulance inserted” sticker, ensuring insertion site is visible^[5]