[Framework for responsible venous access and IV management]

Intravascular catheters are indispensable in current healthcare. The introduction of a peripheral venous or central venous catheter and managing infusion therapy are care processes that over time have become integral to the organisation, and in which multiple care providers play a role. Introducing an IV appears to be a straightforward repetitive task, but often proves to be a considerable burden to the patient and a source of dissatisfaction, morbidity and mortality. Inadequate decision-making, inexperience and lack of a guideline can lead to poor IV management. There is a need for improvement in many care facilities. A programmatic approach such as the Vessel Health and Preservation Principle can be a great asset in this. In this article we outline the framework for responsible vascular access and infusion therapy.