Friday, June 10, 2011
Valves Don't Make Friends
Getting really good at IV starts. Once I start advancing the catheter I seem to hit a valve 50% of the time. The hardest trouble I am having is picking a good vein to go into. This is like an art in itself. Maybe I should work at a HUGE hospital and be on the IV therapy team so I can go around starting IV's all day! I want to be the best I can be when it comes to venipunctures and IV therapy. I will get it, I know it takes A LOT of practice and patients patience!;)
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Picture taken from http://library.thinkquest.org/22016/circ/vessels.jpg
ReplyDeleteUse your finger tips, more than your sight. It's all by feeling. :) I am pretty good at it on caucasian or other light skinned patients but I have yet to master hitting an IV the first or second try on someone with darker skin.
ReplyDeleteSarah's right - rely less on your vision. It's always nice when you can see it, but eventually, your brain will start to develop memory when you use your sense of touch. I got a TON of practice during my externship in the ER the summer before I graduated. And, of course, being that I now work in the ER, I get lots of practice. It's my favorite skill to do (weird, I know) and I'm pretty good at it. In fact, 9 times out of 10, if I can't get it, the patient usually ends up with an EJ or a central line. You will get better, and just know that you can't ever predict hitting a valve! Keep at it, girl!
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