How do you get good at cannulation?
Hand hygiene is critical. Sterile no-touch technique is the best, although using the regular gloves with no-touch technique is also acceptable. Prepare the skin adequately with alcohol or chlorhexidine prior to cannulation. Always swab the bung with alcohol or chlorhexidine swabs before accessing the IVC.
How do you make cannulation less painful?
Although other manoeuvres can reduce the pain of cannulation, such as ‘darting’ the cannula through the skin or getting the patient to cough,16 and although other analgesics or drug delivery systems have also been shown to be effective,17,18 local anaesthetic injection is the only readily available method that allows …
Can you practice cannulation on yourself?
Medical students are practising invasive clinical procedures on themselves and fellow students at home as well as at medical school, a recent New Zealand study has confirmed. These procedures commonly include inserting a cannula, taking blood, and giving injections.
Which vein is best for cannulation?
The preferred site for cannula insertion is the dorsum of the hand. The antecubital fossa should generally be avoided unless there are no other appropriate sites. The chosen vein should be visible, straight, easily compressed and not over a joint (SCHN 2019).
Why does cannulation hurt?
As the needle is inserted, if you feel an electric-shock-type sensation radiating down your hand, your IV may have come into contact with a nerve. Or, you may feel pain if the needle has gone beyond the vein into a muscle or tendon.
What makes cannulation difficult?
Difficult venous cannulation may be related to the small diameter of the vein (as in infants) or to their deep location (as in obese patients) or to poor visibility or palpability due to other factors (oedema, pigmentation, etc.).
What veins should I avoid for cannulation?
The veins of choice are the cephalic or basilic. Avoid using the antecubital veins as this will restrict the patient’s movement and increase the risk of complications such as phlebitis and infiltration (Dougherty & Watson, 2011; RCN, 2010).