Uploaded May 2015 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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The video above shows an IV started by a Nurse Practitioner in a vein characterized by the “patient” (actually a nurse “champion” of ours) as a difficult “stick.” The video is a bit rough with respect to its set-up and IV access technique (an infusion nurse expert was quite critical of the NP’s IV technique – the conclusion: we’re not ready for YouTube with this video). Nevertheless, to the “educated eye” or if you can look closely this video presents elements of the value in our imaging, e.g. as you see the cannula approaching, interacting with and then penetrating the skin and then vein. While our imaging is two dimensional, the motion and interaction of the cannula with patient structures provides sufficient dimensional sense to compensate for the lack of the third dimension. Hence, the clinician shouldn’t miss. It also shows the dramatic effect of a saline “push” beginning at 30 seconds into the video. Video recording of a saline “push” may become an increasingly important way of documenting catheter patency particularly in those instances where vesicant drugs are to be administered. Infiltration can be observed as a brightening in the tissues at the point where the infusate exits the vein.