1. Monitor IV insertion practices. ASCs should regularly observe staff member to ensure IVs are effectively and safely inserted into patients in a timely manner. Efficient IV insertions are fundamental to timely patient turnovers and reduced risk of patient dissatisfaction. Although IV insertions should be kept to a minimum, IV insertion practices should be reviewed on a case-by-base basis.
“We felt any situations where a patient was ‘stuck’ more than twice needed to be reviewed,” Ms. Reighard says. “Sometimes patient may need to have IVs inserted multiple time because dehydration plays a factor, and in those cases the split-dose colon prepping method will help the dehydration. Our assistant clinical director is also constantly reviewing IV practices to maintain and improve our infection control processes.”
2. Maintain staff competency. Ms. Reighard says her ASC’s staff members regularly undergo in-service training to ensure they are cognizant of industry standards for effective and safe IV insertion practices.
“We perform annual competency training for IV insertion not only so staff member are starting IVs properly and in a timely manner but also so that they are able to communicate to the patients how the IV process is carried out to decrease their anxiety,” she says.
3. Invest in a Venoscope. Modern technology has given way to new equipment that can assist clinicians in IV start times. Venoscopes, specifically, can help nurses and physicians locate veins under the skin, thereby improving start times and decreasing the risk of needing to “stick” patients more than twice.
“Once we purchased that piece of equipment, we drastically decreased the number of times we have to ‘stick’ our patients,” Ms. Reighard says. “Venoscopes are typically not that expensive, so that return on our investment was been very well-received [by our staff and physicians].”
Learn more about Allegheny Regional Endoscopy Center.
