An Overview of Sonogram-Guided Placement of Venous Access Devices

The majority of hospitalized patients require intravenous access. Due to age, body habitus, and anatomical variation, successful intravenous insertion can be difficult. In the late 1990s, the first article was published describing the use of ultrasound to successfully guide peripheral intravenous cannulation. The practice has become common today. Before peripheral ultrasound-guided intravenous insertions were performed, patients with poor anatomical access received central line placement incurring risk and cost. Over the past 20 years, much research has been performed supporting the development of ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous insertion programs. The aim of this article is to provide a basic history of the practice, including an outline of the best education program elements, the best practices surrounding the insertions, and efforts enacted to lengthen the survival of the catheter post placement.