Twelve tips for integrating ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous access clinical skills teaching into undergraduate medical education

Abstract

Peripheral Intravenous access (PIV) is a procedure undertaken by Medical Practitioners and Non-Medical Practitioners. Traditional PIV uses a visual and tactile technique to locate blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. Chronic medical conditions, dehydration, obesity and recurrent intravenous access can make PIV challenging. Ultrasound (US) guided PIV is recommended to aid the identification of the arm arteries and veins and improve the success rate of needle placement in difficult cases. Medical and non-medical schools, and hospital organisations, are recognising the importance of US guided PIV education for undergraduate and postgraduate Medical and Non-Medical Practitioners. This to promote independence, efficiency and to improve patient safety. The aim of this 12 tips article is to highlight the considerations and practicalities of integrating and delivering, a practical based skills (PBS) session, on the use of US guided practice as an adjunct in difficult PIV, into the undergraduate medical education curricula.