Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Operation STICK Improves Vascular Access Outcomes in a Specialty Team: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Steven Matthew Gibson1, Jessica Sarlabous, Lauren Adair
1Author Affiliations: Vascular Access Specialty Nurse, Vascular Access Consulting, Henderson, Kentucky (Mr Gibson); Vascular Access Specialty Nurse, Baptist Hospital, Miami, Florida (Ms Sarlabous and Ms Adair); and Professor of Emergency Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan (Dr Bahl).
Background:
Education and training may improve outcomes within an experienced vascular access team.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of a standardized peripheral intravenous catheter insertion educational program (Operation STICK) on vascular access outcomes.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental study design was used. Adult inpatients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA) requiring ultrasound-guided insertion by a vascular access specialty team were eligible. Data were collected before and 7 months after the educational training program.
Results:
A total of 54 subjects were included (24 pre- and 30 post-implementation). Significant improvements were found for mean peripheral intravenous catheter dwell time (3.62 to 14.97 days, P < .001), completion of therapy (58.3% to 96.7%, P = .001), and first-stick success rate (79.2% to 100%, P = .013). Catheter-to-vein ratio significantly decreased ( P = .007).
Conclusions:
Standardized education/training in vascular access focusing on best practices yields favorable outcomes for DIVA patients within an established specialty team.
