The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data on obesity in the United States. Nearly one of every three adults is considered obese, due to an increased risk of serious health problems including cardiovascular disease, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal disorders that are directly linked with this high body mass index (BMI) classification.
Because of the higher quality adipose tissue, veins in obese people are relatively hard to see. However studies have shown that traditional approaches to vascular access have proved futile for this population. Vascular access outcomes can be improved by using a vein finder and practicing appropriate technique with it on patients who fall under obesity category.
Heavy-set or obese patients are often difficult to cannulate due to excess adipose tissue. It is important that the aimvien vein visualization technology can help with locating and assessing suitable veins in all patient types, so there's no need for an uncomfortable stick.
Nurses are often faced with the challenge of inserting IVs into patients who have both fragile veins and obesity. This can be a difficult process that requires special knowledge, skill, and attention to detail in order to avoid mistakes.
Obese and edematous patients have different body compositions. An obese patient has higher percentage of adipose tissues, whereas an edematous person is suffering from a disease condition that affects the elimination of fluids in their bodies.
A new nurse who has never inserted an IV before will find it difficult to thread the tube into a patient's veins. The extra weight of body fluids and fat tissues can make this task even harder, but with enough practice they'll be able to do it in no time!
By constantly being open to new ideas and techniques, you will avoid stagnation.
Here are five of the most effective strategies you can try for a successful IV insertion in obese or edematous patients:
1.Use multiple tourniquet.
To fixate veins, apply tourniquets progressively closer to the site. This also holds swollen or excess tissue in place.
2.Use warm compress
The perfect spot to insert a needle into an arm is found just after the bend of your elbow.
This helps you avoid hitting any major veins and causing complications for patients such as bruising, blood clots or even infection from dirty needles. Before doing the actual IV insertion, tap on creating warmth with warm compresses wrapped around their arms for 10-15 minutes at most; be careful not to overheat them!
3.Use palpation techniques
When inserting an IV in obese or edematous tissues, you can use finger pressure to find the perfect spot. Mark that area with a sterile skin marker and slowly insert your catheter while preparing all equipment needed for insertion when having everything on hand.
4.Use longer cannula and an illuminating equipment
Transilluminators are used to help medical professionals see veins easier, so that IVs can be inserted more easily. The trick is finding one if you don't have it on hand - otherwise flashlight or an otoscope should work just fine.
It's important not to dislodge the catheter once it has been placed because edema and other complications could worsen without proper care."
5.Know the anatomy
If you can't place an IV in the back of a person's hand, look at their wrist. The veins on the inside part are more apparent if they've worn a watch recently and less likely to be damaged due to having less fatty tissues there than most other parts of your arm.
