Minimum Education and Training for Pediatric and Neonatal Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Care for All Clinicians: Position Paper

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a frequent procedure for hospitalized pediatric and neonatal patients. Timely and successful PIVC insertion can be challenging in pediatric and neonatal patients due to small or fragile veins, younger age, obesity, and patient activity.^1–5  First-attempt insertion success ranges from 64% to 74%, with an average of 2.1 attempts prior to insertion of a functional PIVC.⁶  In children with difficult intravenous access (DIVA), the average number of attempts increases to four prior to an insertion of a functional PIVC.^3,7  In addition to insertion difficulty, once a functional PIVC is successfully inserted, it is reported that 34% to 56% will fail prior to treatment completion, often necessitating the need for additional attempts to replace the failed PIVC.^7–10 

Consideration for vessel health and preservation for pediatric and neonatal patients begins at birth, and every decision for vascular...