Transfer of Technological Innovations to Nursing Practice: A Contribution to the Prevention of Infections
Transfer of Technological Innovations to Nursing Practice: A Contribution to the Prevention of Infections
The insertion of peripheral vascular catheters (PVCs) is the most often invasive procedure
 performed in hospital settings. During hospitalization, the majority of patients need to have
 a PVC inserted. These devices are not risk-free, affecting patients' safety and well-being.
 In clinical settings, health professionals must deal with difficult venous accesses due to
 the patient's age, physical characteristics, clinical status, and medication, which hinder
 the PVC insertion. When veins are not visible or palpable, this may lead to successive
 puncture attempts, causing pain to the patient and discomfort to the nurse, which results in
 increased costs.

 Guidelines state that puncture should be attempted only twice per professional, to a maximum
 of four attempts; against this recommendation and due to the patient's therapeutic needs and
 clinical situation, health professionals attempt to puncture multiple times in a single
 scenario. In this regard, health professionals should consider using specific technologies
 that help to select the vein and reduce the number of puncture attempts and catheter-related
 mechanical complications. Taking into account the multiplicity of existing technologies in
 the international market that assist health professionals in peripheral venous
 catheterization, ultrasound and infrared devices emerge in the literature as two of the most
 commonly used during this procedure.

 These technologies were developed with the purpose of improving peripheral intravenous
 catheterization success rate and thus reducing the number and extent of the negative effects
 of multiple or unsuccessful attempts, with the additional purpose of avoiding the
 frustrations of health professionals in these scenarios. However, such technologies are still
 underused in clinical practice, since health professionals are not familiar with the use of
 these devices. Moreover, the costs associated with their purchase and maintenance may be
 considered as excessive in relation to the traditional method.

 The project investigators aim to determine whether the use of either ultrasound or
 near-infrared vascular imaging will significantly improve the success rate of peripheral
 intravenous catheterization in adults on first attempt by nurses compared with the standard
 approach, reduce immediate related complications and improve patient and provider
 satisfaction.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Participants who require peripheral intravenous catheterization as part of routine
 care;

 -  Participants whose primary nurse agrees to participate in the study;

 -  Participants who are able to give written assent or oral assent.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Confused and/or disoriented participants;

 -  Participants who are unable to communicate orally and/or in writing.