Using the Vessel Health and Preservation framework to enhance vein assessment and vascular access device selection

Area of Science:

• Vascular Access Management
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Decision Support

Background:

• Peripheral intravenous (IV) cannula failure is common, leading to patient discomfort and delayed therapy.
• Multiple failed cannulation attempts negatively impact patient experience and healthcare costs.
• Effective vascular access management is crucial for successful IV therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) framework.
• To explain how the VHP framework enhances clinical decision-making for vascular access.
• To highlight the benefits of the VHP framework for patient experience and IV therapy.

Main Methods:

• The article outlines the principles and application of the VHP framework.
• It details how healthcare practitioners can utilize VHP for vein assessment.
• Discussion includes the selection of appropriate vascular access devices (VADs), focusing on short-term peripheral IV cannulae.

Main Results:

• The VHP framework supports informed selection of veins and VADs.
• Implementation of VHP can optimize the timing and choice of vascular access.
• The framework aims to reduce IV cannula failure rates and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The VHP framework offers a structured approach to vascular access management.
• Adoption of VHP can lead to improved patient comfort, reduced complications, and efficient IV therapy.
• Enhanced vein assessment and VAD selection are key benefits of the VHP framework.