Axis Imaging News
Judy Padula, MSN, RN and Matthew Ostroff, ARNP
Establishing vascular access is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures and plays a central role in patient care. However, obtaining PIV access is difficult in about 35% of patients who present to the emergency department. Ultrasound-guided vascular access can help address this issue, but a hospital must first create a program to educate clinicians in leveraging POCUS for this procedure. Nurses Judy Padula and Matthew Ostroff outline five steps in establishing an ultrasound-guided vascular access program: Identify and satisfy unmet needs, locate the safest, most cost-effective catheter site with ultrasound, use ultrasound-guided PIVs as an alternative to high-risk central lines, recognize the vital role nurse leadership can play in implementing a successful vascular access program, and leverage the nurse/physician partnership to optimize patient care.