Pediatric IV Tips and Tricks

<h1 style="text-align: center;">Top 10</h1> <h4 style="text-align: center;">[<em>details in audio</em>]</h4> <ol> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Set the stage</strong></span> – exude confidence and be prepared</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Choose the right cannula size</span> – a smaller working IV is infinitely better than none</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Feeling is better than looking</span> – trust yourself</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mark the site</span> – things get wonky when you take your hands off to disinfect</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tourniquets can mess you up</span> – try to use a holder’s hand to occlude the vein</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The holder rules</span> – get as many hands on deck as you need.</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tension is good</span> –  a little counter traction on the skin with your non-dominant hand helps to decrease the friction as the needle goes through the fascial layers.</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stay in line</span> – your needle is an extension of your arm</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gravity is your friend</span> – the kinder, gentler tourniquet</h4> </li> <li> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The 3 Fs – flash, flatten, and forward</span>. Get the flash at a 30 degree angle, flatten that angle, (advance another 1mm), and advance the plastic catheter over the needle into success</h4> </li> </ol>