Mastering Venipuncture and Intravenous Therapy

Complications and Best Practices for Venipuncture and Intravenous Therapy

• Venipuncture is a common procedure in healthcare settings for drawing blood or administering fluids and medications.

• Universal precautions should always be observed to protect both the patient and healthcare provider.

• Radiologic Technologists in California are only allowed to perform Venipuncture on the upper extremities.

• Hematomas are the most common complication from venipuncture and can be caused by using fragile veins, too large of a needle, or excessive probing to find a vein.

• Infection is a risk with venipuncture, and good aseptic technique is essential to prevent infections.

• Nerve damage is a rare but potentially serious complication associated with phlebotomy, and it is important to know where the vein is beforehand.

• Excessive bleeding can occur after venipuncture, especially for patients on blood-thinning drugs.

• Allergic reactions can occur to latex, cleaning agents, or contrast agents used in MRI, and a premedication regimen may be prescribed for patients with a history of reactions.

• Intravenous therapy may be used for fluid replacement, electrolyte imbalances, medication delivery, and blood transfusions.

• Peripheral and central sites are used for intravenous therapy, with central sites used for long-term treatment.

• Complications of intravenous therapy include infiltration, extravasation, phlebitis, air embolism, drug incompatibility, and low IV fluid levels.

• Intravenous therapy should be initiated with proper equipment, patient identification and assessment, and informed consent.

• Discontinuation of IV therapy should be assessed and communicated to the patient, and the necessary materials should be prepared.Steps for Safe Removal of IV Catheter

• Necessary equipment for removal of IV catheter includes sterile cotton balls with alcohol, plaster, pick-up forceps in antiseptic solution, kidney basin, and Band-Aid.

• Hands should be washed before and after the procedure to maintain hygiene.

• The roller clamp of the IV administration set should be closed before removing the catheter.

• Adhesive tapes around the IV catheter should be moistened with cotton ball with alcohol before removing the plaster gently.

• Pick-up forceps should be used to get cotton ball with alcohol and without applying pressure, remove needle or IV catheter then immediately apply pressure over the venipuncture site.

• All waste materials including the IV cannula should be discarded properly after the procedure.

• The patient should be reassured during the removal of the IV catheter.

• Documentation of the administration of IV therapy and possible complications/reactions must be done.

• The time of discontinuance, status of insertion site, and integrity of IV catheter should be documented.

• Proper endorsement for the removal of the IV catheter should be done.

• The removal of the IV catheter should be done in a safe and sterile environment to avoid any infections.

• Adherence to proper removal procedures of IV catheter reduces the risk of complications and infections.

Complications and Best Practices for Venipuncture and Intravenous Therapy

• Venipuncture is a common procedure in healthcare settings for drawing blood or administering fluids and medications.

• Universal precautions should always be observed to protect both the patient and healthcare provider.

• Radiologic Technologists in California are only allowed to perform Venipuncture on the upper extremities.

• Hematomas are the most common complication from venipuncture and can be caused by using fragile veins, too large of a needle, or excessive probing to find a vein.

• Infection is a risk with venipuncture, and good aseptic technique is essential to prevent infections.

• Nerve damage is a rare but potentially serious complication associated with phlebotomy, and it is important to know where the vein is beforehand.

• Excessive bleeding can occur after venipuncture, especially for patients on blood-thinning drugs.

• Allergic reactions can occur to latex, cleaning agents, or contrast agents used in MRI, and a premedication regimen may be prescribed for patients with a history of reactions.

• Intravenous therapy may be used for fluid replacement, electrolyte imbalances, medication delivery, and blood transfusions.

• Peripheral and central sites are used for intravenous therapy, with central sites used for long-term treatment.

• Complications of intravenous therapy include infiltration, extravasation, phlebitis, air embolism, drug incompatibility, and low IV fluid levels.

• Intravenous therapy should be initiated with proper equipment, patient identification and assessment, and informed consent.

• Discontinuation of IV therapy should be assessed and communicated to the patient, and the necessary materials should be prepared.Steps for Safe Removal of IV Catheter

• Necessary equipment for removal of IV catheter includes sterile cotton balls with alcohol, plaster, pick-up forceps in antiseptic solution, kidney basin, and Band-Aid.

• Hands should be washed before and after the procedure to maintain hygiene.

• The roller clamp of the IV administration set should be closed before removing the catheter.

• Adhesive tapes around the IV catheter should be moistened with cotton ball with alcohol before removing the plaster gently.

• Pick-up forceps should be used to get cotton ball with alcohol and without applying pressure, remove needle or IV catheter then immediately apply pressure over the venipuncture site.

• All waste materials including the IV cannula should be discarded properly after the procedure.

• The patient should be reassured during the removal of the IV catheter.

• Documentation of the administration of IV therapy and possible complications/reactions must be done.

• The time of discontinuance, status of insertion site, and integrity of IV catheter should be documented.

• Proper endorsement for the removal of the IV catheter should be done.

• The removal of the IV catheter should be done in a safe and sterile environment to avoid any infections.

• Adherence to proper removal procedures of IV catheter reduces the risk of complications and infections.

Safety and Classification of Contrast Agents in Medical Imaging

• Medication errors are common in healthcare facilities, with nearly 20% occurrence rate, and improper dose or quantity of medication was the most frequent and harmful type of error.
• Nine of the top 25 most frequently reported drugs involved in medication errors were contrast agents.
• Errors in administering contrast agents result from poorly defined standing orders, inadequate communication, and other communication breakdowns.
• The radiologic technologist’s role is limited to adding contrast agents and other medications to an ongoing list of medicines administered to the patient.
• The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals regarding medication safety include labeling all medications, medication containers, and other solutions on and off the sterile field.
• Improving communication among caregivers is a National Patient Safety Goal of the Joint Commission.
• Needle-stick injuries are common among healthcare workers and pose a small yet significant risk of potentially fatal blood-borne viruses.
• Universal precautions and standard precautions are effective ways to protect healthcare workers, patients, and the general public by reducing hospital-acquired infection rates.
• MRI contrast agents can be classified by their chemical composition, administration route, magnetic properties, effect on the image, presence and nature of metal atoms, and bio-distribution and applications.
• Gadolinium-containing MRI contrast agents are the most commonly used for enhancement of vessels in MR angiography or for brain tumor enhancement associated with the degradation of the blood–brain barrier.
• Gadolinium MRI contrast agents may be nephrotoxic and neurotoxic, and anaphylactoid reactions are rare.
• Protein-based MRI contrast agents are being researched for their potential in enhancing medical imaging.

Safety and Classification of Contrast Agents in Medical Imaging

• Medication errors are common in healthcare facilities, with nearly 20% occurrence rate, and improper dose or quantity of medication was the most frequent and harmful type of error.
• Nine of the top 25 most frequently reported drugs involved in medication errors were contrast agents.
• Errors in administering contrast agents result from poorly defined standing orders, inadequate communication, and other communication breakdowns.
• The radiologic technologist’s role is limited to adding contrast agents and other medications to an ongoing list of medicines administered to the patient.
• The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals regarding medication safety include labeling all medications, medication containers, and other solutions on and off the sterile field.
• Improving communication among caregivers is a National Patient Safety Goal of the Joint Commission.
• Needle-stick injuries are common among healthcare workers and pose a small yet significant risk of potentially fatal blood-borne viruses.
• Universal precautions and standard precautions are effective ways to protect healthcare workers, patients, and the general public by reducing hospital-acquired infection rates.
• MRI contrast agents can be classified by their chemical composition, administration route, magnetic properties, effect on the image, presence and nature of metal atoms, and bio-distribution and applications.
• Gadolinium-containing MRI contrast agents are the most commonly used for enhancement of vessels in MR angiography or for brain tumor enhancement associated with the degradation of the blood–brain barrier.
• Gadolinium MRI contrast agents may be nephrotoxic and neurotoxic, and anaphylactoid reactions are rare.
• Protein-based MRI contrast agents are being researched for their potential in enhancing medical imaging.