Health
Peripheral Cannulation: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits
Peripheral cannulation is a simple yet essential medical procedure. It is very important for patients undergoing surgery and emergency care in hospitals and clinics. It provides easy, quick, and reliable access to bloodstreams through veins.
Although the IV cannulation is a simple medical process, it comes with a lot of benefits. It has low risks and complications with safe access and easy treatment. Moreover, the tool keeps the patient hydrated and allows them to recover quickly.
In this blog, we will share everything about peripheral cannulation, what are purpose process and benefits. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Content
What is Peripheral Cannulation?
Peripheral cannulation, also known as peripheral IV cannulation or peripheral venous catheterisation, is a medical procedure. In this process, you will need a thin and flexible tube called a cannula. It is inserted into a peripheral vein, mostly in the hand, arm or sometimes in the leg. It allows to deliver the medications into the body through the bloodstream.
Check out our beginner guide for detailed information on what is cannulation & its process!
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Want to boost your clinical skills? Key Components of Peripheral Cannulation
WHO have shared a few essential components of peripheral cannulation for patients’ safety. The key components ensure the process is performed safely and correctly. Also, the tools help professionals minimise the infection risk and provide a comfortable experience. Here are the Key components you need for peripheral cannulation-
| Key Components | Why It’s Important |
| Tourniquet | Helps to find the veins easily by restricting blood flow for a short time. |
| Antiseptic Wipes | Sterilize the skin before inserting the needle to minimize the risk of infection. |
| Cannula or IV catheter | To access veins directly and collect blood or push medications. |
| Sterile Gloves | Helps to maintain everything clean and disinfected. |
| Adhesive Tape/Dressing | Secures the cannula in the right place and prevents discomfort. |
| Flush Syringe (Saline Flush) | Ensures the cannula is working properly while maintaining the vein’s patency. |
| Cannula Site Sticker | Keeps track of details like insertion time and who inserted. |
Common Sites for Peripheral Cannulation
Peripheral venous catheterisation is generally performed on easily accessible veins in the limbs. The most common site for cannulation is the back of the hand. It offers visible and superficial veins. Moreover, the site is a less painful and more comfortable position for the patients.
Another common and preferred site for peripheral cannulation is the forearm. The site has relatively large and stable veins. Furthermore, the wrist and antecubital fossa (the inner elbow) are frequently used for cannulation. In some cases, doctors select foot or ankle veins as well.
Purpose of IV Cannulation
The primary purpose of IV cannulation is to allow you to access short-term access for various clinical needs. Also, it enables healthcare providers to administer IV fluids. The fluids help to maintain hydration and treat dehydration in patients. Moreover, the cannulation allows direct push of medications into the bloodstream.
In addition to that, peripheral cannulation facilitates blood transfusion when patients need additional blood. It is a fundamental technique for emergency care patients and offers fast vascular access.
Benefits of Peripheral Venous Catheterisation
Peripheral cannulation is a common and important medical procedure that allows for faster access to veins. It also enables the easy administration of medications into the bloodstream and facilitates patient treatment. There are a lot of benefits of IV cannulation. Here are some of the advantages of the process:
- Quick access to veins: It provides ideal, fast, and reliable access to the veins. The process is best suited for emergency situations that require immediate treatment of patients.
- Minimally invasive: The process is not only less painful but also offers better comfort. It is easy to perform, and the patient experiences no pain or discomfort during the procedure.
- Multiple uses: The cannulation saves the patients from several needle sticks. It reduces repeated vein punctures.
- Cost-effective: The process and equipment usage are simple and affordable. Therefore, it is cost-effective and suitable for low-resource and high-volume medical settings.
- Low risk: Since the process is straightforward, it poses a very low risk. Additionally, it is safe and well-tolerated for both adults and children.
How is Peripheral Cannulation Performed?
Although IV cannulation is a medical procedure, it is simple to perform. It involves simply inserting a plastic tube into a vein to facilitate the administration of medication. IV cannulation needs only three steps to perform. Following the proper technique ensures safety and comfort to the patient and healthcare providers.
Here are the steps that healthcare providers take to perform in peripheral venous catheterization:
- Preparation for the Procedure
Before starting the procedure, the healthcare providers gather all the necessary equipment and tools. They sterilise all the tools to minimise the risks of any infection. Additionally, they obtain the consent of the patient or their family. Then the healthcare providers select the area of cannulation.
Learn more about how to choose the right cannulation veins with our detailed blog!
- Insertion Process
After selecting the area and vein, the healthcare providers use a tourniquet to make the veins more visible. Then they gently insert the needle into the vein. Once the blood flows back, they take the needle back. At this point, nurses use dressings or adhesive tape to secure the cannula in place.
- Aftercare and Monitoring
After the needle insertion, healthcare providers monitor it regularly. They inspect any signs of infection, swelling, or leakage. Also, they monitor the site during use and flush it periodically to maintain hygiene. If any complications arise or the cannula is not needed, they will remove it properly.
What are the Common Situations for IV Cannulation?
Peripheral cannulation is commonly used in the modern healthcare system for quicker access to veins. It provides reliable access to a patient’s bloodstream. Moreover, it helps to deliver medications, fluids and other treatments directly into the vein. The cannulation process is mostly used for emergency and routine treatments.
Here are the common situations where the doctors do the IV cannulation:
- Medication Administration: Cannulation is mainly used to deliver medical solutions like antibiotics, pain killers and other drugs. It ensures faster absorption and takes immediate action.
- Fluid Replacement: It is essential in treating dehydration or fluid imbalance. It allows quick restoration of the fluid levels to prevent shock or organ failure.
- Blood Transfusions: It helps in safe and effective blood product transfusion, such as plasma or red blood cells.
- Nutritional Support: Cannulation is also used to provide essential nutrients directly into the patient’s bloodstream. It is often performed on patients right after the surgery when patients can’t take food orally.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Peripheral Cannulation?
- Common Complications
Here are some common complications doctors face while cannulation:
| Complications | Symptoms | Reason Behind It |
| Phlebitis | Inflammation, pain, redness and swelling of the vein. | It occurs when the cannula is too long or the infusion irritates the vein. |
| Infiltration and Extravasation | Tissue damage, swelling and pain. | Infiltration happens when the drug leaks into nearby tissues. |
| Infection | Redness, pus discharge, and sometimes fever or sepsis. | Infection often causes from poor hygiene, not properly sterilising the equipment. |
| Hematoma | Skin discoloration, tenderness and bruising-like swelling. | It occurs if blood leaks in surrounding tissues for vein puncture. |
| Vein Collapse | Pain in the vein or failure of medication flow. | Vein collapses when it gets fragile or gets into excessive pressure during insertion. |
| Nerve Damage | Tingling sensation, numbness, burning or sharp pain near the cannula. | Causes from accidental pressure or puncture on nerve near the vein. |
- How Risks Are Minimised
To minimize the complications and risks, healthcare providers take several precautions. Here are some of the steps they take:
- Before using the tools they sterilize them properly and sanitize their hands as well.
- They ensures the size of the cannula is perfect for the patient.
- Also, they monitors the cannulation are regularly.
- Healthcare providers removes the cannula as soon as the work is done.
Who Performs Peripheral Cannulation?
Since peripheral venous catheterisation is a clinical procedure, it is performed by trained healthcare professionals. It requires professional knowledge of human anatomy, sterile techniques, and practical skills.
- Nurses: Generally, nurses performs peripheral cannulation in hospitals, emergency care and other clinics. They gets formal training in IV cannulation and therapy during their education.
- Doctors: Sometimes doctors and medical officers performs the cannulation. During the emrgency interventions or surgeries, they insert cannula to patients.
- Paramedics: Another with that, the paramedics also perform peripheral cannulation in pre-hospital settings.
- Phlebotomists and Technicians: Phlebotomists are also known as blood draw specialist. They are authorised and trained to do the cannulation.
FAQs
Does peripheral cannulation hurt?
Yes, sometimes IV cannulation can cause a little discomfort. Often, the patient feels a quick pinch while inserting the cannula. The pain is usually minimal and brief. Trained healthcare professionals perform the techniques gently to reduce discomfort. Moreover, they keep the patient calm to minimise any risk or severe pain.
How long can a peripheral cannula stay in place?
The Royal Nursing College states that, typically, the cannula stays in place for 72 to 96 hours. However, the duration depends on the clinical condition of the patient. The cannula is also monitored regularly in case of any complication or infections. Healthcare providers remove it immediately if it’s not needed. Yet, sometimes, if needed for longer, they replace it with a new one.
Can peripheral cannulation fail?
Yes, peripheral cannulation can sometimes fail due to various reasons. Sometimes, it fails for small or hard to find veins, patient movement, and vein collapse. The cannulation fails can lead to bruising, discomfort and heavy pain. For this reason, cannulation is performed by skilled healthcare providers and they take many precautions.
What should I do if my IV site swells or hurts?
If your IV site hurts, becomes swollen, red or warm, you need to inform your healthcare provider instantly. Also, if there is any irritation, infiltration or infection, they will check it and take proper action. So, don’t ignore the symptoms, give it proper attention to prevent any complications.
Is peripheral cannulation the same as a central line?
No peripheral cannulation and central line are different. The IV cannulation includes the insertion of a small needle into a vein in the arm or hand. On the other hand, the central line is placed into a larger vein near the heart. Furthermore, cannulation is a simple process, but central lines are a long-term and complex treatment.
Conclusion
Peripheral cannulation is a vital medication procedure for quick and reliable access to a patient’s bloodstream. It helps to deliver medication, fluids, and blood transfusions directly through the bloodstream. Moreover, the cannulation helps in emergency for its ease, safety and effectiveness.
Along with the proper technique, hygiene and invasive, IV cannulation is a safe and much more effective way for clinical treatments. So, in the clinics or hospitals, the skilled professionals perform cannulation for better care of the patients.
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