Development of an educational program using ultrasonography in vascular access for nurse practitioner students

Vascular access provides the introduction of a device for administering therapy, obtaining blood for testing, or removing substances from the bloodstream. A vascular access device (VAD) is defined as a catheter device inserted into the patient's bloodstream for infusion or diagnostic purposes. One type of VAD is the peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC), a small flexible tube inserted into the bloodstream for infusion therapy.¹ For the purposes of this study, vascular access will focus on the peripheral intravenous catheter.

Nearly all patients admitted to the acute care hospital setting have some type of vascular access procedure. It is estimated that over 350 million PIVCs are inserted in the United States annually.² Venous access is assessed through inspection, palpation, and visualization technology.³ Visualization technology includes ultrasonography, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to assess vasculature.² Ultrasound improves PIVC placement when alternative methods have failed; however, it has a steep learning curve, requiring training and practice for proficiency. Because of this curve, many health care institutions across the United States have developed vascular access teams (VATs), which use intravenous ultrasonography in their practice. A VAT is a group of health care professionals whose primary role is to assess, insert, manage, perform surveillance, and analyze VADs.^3,4 VATs have shown a positive impact by improved patient safety outcomes, advanced quality of care, and streamlining resource utilization.^3–5 Of note, VATs have demonstrated successful comprehension in understanding the importance of using ultrasonography in clinical practice to improve success and outcomes for vascular procedures.^4,5