Peripheral IV (PIV) placement is one of the common IV procedures performed by nurses (and other healthcare practitioners)  in hospitals and other healthcare settings, including long-term care, outpatient, and home care.  Perhaps because of its simplicity, many nurses have underestimated the risks involved with PIV placement, care and maintenance. I often hear them say, “it’s just a peripheral IV, not a central line!”   It is so simple and common that many believe the potential complications are nothing serious. There are risks and consequences of complications associated with PIV  such as phlebitis, infiltration, extravasation, infection, and nerve damage. Unfortunately, as simple and common as it is, the number of lawsuits involving nurses and the complications from PIV placements are increasing.

In this blog, I have written extensively on topics related to PIV and the potential complications, -many of which are the most read posts. If you are interesting in learning more, join our web seminar designed to take a closer look Peripheral IV, the importance of appropriate PIV site selection, techniques to reduce complications, and the importance of monitoring the PIV site. For more information on registration and dates, click here.

NOTE: This web seminar is sponsored by my employer, MCV & Associates Healthcare Inc.