The Efficacy of Nurse-Performed Ultrasound Guidance Compared with the Conventional Cannulation Technique in Patients with Difficult Peripheral Intravenous Access: A Systematic Review

ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to highlight the efficacy of nurse-performed ultrasound guidance compared with the conventional cannulation technique in patients with difficult peripheral intravenous access. DesignA systematic litterature review. Data sourcesThe CINAHL and PubMed databases were searched for articles from the period 2011-2021. MethodThe following search words were used: peripheral intravenous AND ultrasonography OR ultrasound guided AND catheterization, peripheral/methods. The keyword catheterization, peripheral/methods was found via MeSH Terms (Medical Subject Headings) which PubMed recommended as keyword within the intervention of the conventional cannulation technique. Results2 out of 3 articles prove that success rate on the first attempt (primary outcome) was significantly higher in the nurse-performed ultrasound-guided technique compared with the conventional palpation technique. The results of the secondary outcomes; time consumption, complications, patient satisfaction and nurse satisfaction between the two groups proved to be heterogeneous. ConclusionNurse-performed ultrasound guidance in hospital wards increases the success rate in patients with difficult peripheral intravenous access.