Nursing Strategies for Success of Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter placement is a common nursing procedure performed in pediatric patients admitted to the hospital. In some patients, IVs may need to be inserted multiple times to deliver the prescribed medications, fluids, blood, or blood components which can create both fear and pain for patients. Thus, success in inserting peripheral intravenous catheters in pediatric patients leads to timely treatment, increased patient safety, reduced the potential for any complications that may occur, especially in patients who need urgent treatment, and reduced length of stay. It also creates a good experience for the pediatric patients with having peripheral intravenous catheters inserted and encourages the patients to face the experience appropriately and cooperate with other procedures. Successfully inserting a peripheral intravenous catheter in a pediatric patient involves several factors, including the nurse's expertise and experience, the cooperation of the patient, and employing nursing innovations. Therefore, this article presents strategies for improving the rate of successful peripheral intravenous catheter placement in pediatric patients by nurses to  help reduce the number of repeated, unsuccessful insertion attempts and the resulting pain and fear it caused among pediatric patients which, in turn, will increase pediatric patients’ cooperation with performing intravenous catheter placements, as well as other procedures, resulting more efficient and effective  provision of nursing and diagnostic care and treatment in accord with their treatment plans to pediatric patients.