of the needle facing up or away from the patient. Once a “pop” is felt and/or a flash of blood is seen in the reservoir of the IV needle, advance the needle slightly further, and slowly slide the catheter over the needle, cannulating the vessel with the plastic catheter while not moving the needle itself (Figure 8.4).
5. Removing the needle
Hold firm pressure over the tip of the cannulated plastic catheter while the needle is withdrawn from the hub of the catheter. If applicable, push the button to retract the needle to its safe position and set it away. The needle needs to be disposed of in a sharps container as soon as the IV is secured.
Figure 8.3 Position of tourniquet proximal to target vein.
Figure 8.4 “Flash” of blood indicating that needle is within the vein’s lumen and catheter should be advanced over the needle.
6. Securing the IV
Attach the saline lock and flush the lock with saline, or attach IV fluid tubing directly to the hub of the catheter. Secure the catheter hub with tape or a commercially available securing device. Check for signs of infiltration (i.e., localized swelling, inability to flush the catheter, pain).
The technique for cannulating the external jugular vein is similar. The needle is inserted in a caudad direction, but no tourniquet is used. Instead, the index finger of the nondominant hand can be used to apply gentle pressure to the external jugular vein just above the clavicle to facilitate venous engorgement. Care should be taken to avoid placing a needle puncture too low in the neck (i.e., at or immediately above the clavicle) to avoid lung injury. Blind attempts when the external jugular vein is not readily apparent are not advised due to potential for serious injury to surrounding structures (Figure 8.5).
Contraindications to intravenous access relate mainly to site selection. Sites with burns, cellulitis, trauma, and other conditions that compromise the integrity of the overlying skin should be avoided. Extremities on the side of a recent mastectomy or lymphatic chain removal, those that contain known thromboses, and those that contain permanent modifications for dialysis access should be used only when all other options have been exhausted. Special consideration must be given to patients with known bleeding disorders and those who are taking medications that may alter coagulation. In such cases, the ability to compress the vein used for an IV attempt is important to limit excessive bleeding.
Figure 8.5 External jugular vein.
Maintenance of vascular access in the prehospital setting may often prove difficult as perspiration, dirt, and water reduce the effectiveness of tape and adhesive dressings used to secure the catheter. Combative or confused patients can also intentionally or unintentionally dislodge their IV access during transport, and may require additional verbal instruction and reminders along with extra padding and support to maintain the line. Gauze wraps, elastic bandages, and arm boards are just a few examples of adjuncts used to protect and optimally position venous access.
Intraosseous Access
IO devices function to access the intramedullary vessels found in the marrow of spongy bone that lead to the central circulation of the body. The IO needle, embedded in the bony structure, is protected by the noncollapsible periosteum, solving any problems with patency that may be encountered with IVs during vasoconstriction and low‐flow states found in, for example, sepsis and cardiac arrest.
IO access is currently attainable with manual, impact‐driven, and powered drill methods. The gauge and length of some of the commercially available products vary for adult and pediatric patients. The commonly available EZ‐IOTM uses a 15‐mm‐long needle for children under 39 kg, while 25‐mm and 45‐mm lengths are available for patients 40 kg or greater. All are 15 gauge. The sites of insertion vary by manufacturer recommendations, but locations may include the proximal tibia, distal tibia, proximal humerus, and sternum. Contraindications to IO access are generally site specific and include infection of the overlying skin, fracture at or above the IO site, vascular compromise, and previous surgery or significant deformity of the bone. Previous sternotomy, suspected sternal fracture, and CPR with chest compressions preclude sternal IO access. Potential complications include osteomyelitis, fat emboli, fracture, growth plate injury, compartment syndrome, infection, and extravasation resulting in local tissue injury and swelling [15–17].
Drinker and Lund in the 1920s were the first to use IO vascular access in the sternum of animal models, demonstrating that the fluid given did indeed reach intravascular circulation. Josefson followed in 1934, reporting the first IO use in humans. Soon after, in the 1940s, the first use of the IO was documented in the pediatric population. While its use among military personnel during WWII was advocated when IV access was delayed or difficult, the development of the over‐the‐needle PVC IV catheter by Massa in the 1950s temporarily curtailed use of the IO. The reemergence of the IO in the 1980s in the Pediatric Advance Life Support and Advanced Pediatric Life Support courses supported its use after failed IV attempts. More recent guidelines from the American Heart Association advocate for the use of IOs as first‐line access in pediatric emergencies and as the first alternative in adult cardiac arrest, including in out‐of‐hospital settings [13, 15, 16, 18].
Several studies have demonstrated the success of obtaining vascular access through IOs after failed or difficult attempts at IV access. IO vascular access has demonstrated high first‐attempt success rates and overall success rates of 90% and greater in adults and children [17]. The advantages of the commercially available battery‐powered driver used in the study included its short learning curve, ability to easily penetrate thick cortical bone given its power source, and rapid drug delivery into the systemic circulation [19]. IO access has been proven to be as quick and effective as IV access [20]. In patients with inaccessible peripheral veins, IO access is faster and more successful than central IV lines [21].
Most medications given through the peripheral IV can be given through an IO, with bioequivalence proven between the two routes [22]. IO has been shown to have clinically comparable time to peak drug concentration as compared to central IV access [18].
Wilderness, tactical, disaster, and other specialty EMS groups may encounter situations requiring early consideration of the use of the IO for vascular access. Austere conditions, limited access to an entrapped patient, or cumbersome gear and clothing of both patient and clinician can inhibit efforts to initiate peripheral IV access. One study demonstrated significantly shorter times to IO access compared to IV access when EMS clinicians donned chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protective equipment [23]. IO access is recommended during any resuscitation when IV access is not attainable [15].
Pediatric IO placement mirrors the adult procedure with minimal additional considerations. As IV access in a critically ill child
