Outcomes of a Simplified Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Training Course for Emergency Nurses

Various medical or anatomical conditions can lead to difficult intravenous access (DIVA) in the emergency department. It was hypothesized that developing an emergency nurse-training program could reduce IV attempts in the emergency department, improving throughput and patient care.

Emergency nurses completed a 4-hour ultrasound-guided intravenous (USGIV) access course and achieved competency after 10 successful supervised USGIV insertions on patients. Data were collected from a nurse-completed USGIV log and the electronic medical record. Experience levels, rates of completion, rates of success, and the effects on attempts of IV access were analyzed.

Thirty-four emergency nurses enrolled in the study over 9 months, and 12 (35%) developed competency. Successful cannulation rates improved from 81% for procedure attempts 1 to 10, to 96% for attempts 21 to 30. Overall IV attempts by nurses and physicians (n = 24,471) decreased by 2%, P = 0.013. DIVA IV attempts (n = 1,366) decreased by 7%, P = 0.003.

USGIV training programs can decrease total number of IV attempts. A simplified and economical USGIV training program for emergency nurses can be successful and may be dependent on emergency nurse experience levels and initiative.