Teaching Module on Ultrasound-Guided Venous Access Using a Homemade Gel Model for Fourth-Year Medical Students

Improving healthcare professionals' ultrasound-guided peripheral vascular access ability utilizing self-assembled ultrasound phantoms: A prospective, observational quality improvement project

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound guidance can reduce the number of attempts to gain peripheral IV access while improving the success rate and satisfaction in patients with difficult IV access. Education and simulation are effective tools for improving the skills and knowledge related to ultrasound-guided peripheral IV access. Ultrasound phantom models allow for skill development without the risk of patient harm.

METHODS

Twenty-nine registered nurses and nurse practitioners were recruited for education and simulation regarding ultrasound-guided peripheral IV (USGPIV) placement. Participants completed a survey evaluating the efficacy of the phantom models in addition to pre- and post-intervention confidence, perceived competence, knowledge surveys, and a Directly Observed Procedural Skills Evaluation (DOPSE). The intervention included an educational PowerPoint and open practice session using the phantom models.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements were found in participants' confidence (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 5.287, 9.499; d = 1.31), perceived competence (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 1.231, 2.742; d = 1.20), knowledge (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 1.079, 2.163; d = 1.47), and skills (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 2.499; 5.501; d = 1.29). Participants improved in maintaining needle visualization (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.272, 0.9; d = 0.79) and decreasing their cannulation attempts (0.045; 95% CI: 0.013, 1.022; d = 0.48). Participants with no and novice experience saw statistically significant improvement across all categories (p < 0.02) compared to those with intermediate, advanced, or expert experience with ultrasound. 96.5% of participants could perform ultrasound-guided peripheral IV cannulation independently or with indirect supervision following the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

At $36.52 per model, the self-assembled ultrasound phantom models provided a cost-effective and sustainable solution to teaching ultrasound-guided peripheral IV cannulations. Education and simulation for ultrasound-guided peripheral vascular access may benefit individuals with no or novice ultrasound experience.

Educating health professionals in ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous cannulation: A systematic review of teaching methods, competence assessment, and patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

Peripheral intravenous cannula insertion is the most common invasive healthcare procedure, however failure rates remain unacceptably high, particularly in patients with difficult intravascular access. This leads to treatment delays and increased complication risk, causing poorer outcomes among this patient subset. Ultrasonographic guidance reduces these risks and is therefore becoming a competency required of health professionals. However, there is no consensus on how to design teaching sessions to achieve this competency.

METHODS

Systematic review was conducted to identify characteristics of effective teaching sessions for current and training health professions to achieve ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous cannulation competency. Secondary outcomes included defining competency and to assess benefits to patients and healthcare systems. Eligibility for inclusion required description of teaching of ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous cannulation to qualified or training health professionals who went on to perform it in human patients or volunteers with reported outcomes or success rates. Studies were excluded if not accessible in full, not peer-reviewed or presented research that had been presented elsewhere previously. Of the 1085 records identified on review of 6 databases, 35 were included for final review based on eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

Almost all (97.1%) used mixed modality teaching comprising of didactic and simulation portions, although time allocated varied widely. A median of 5 proctored procedures was required for competency. Competency was independent of previous experience or staff seniority. Mean reported insertion attempts was 1.7, success rate was 82.5% and first-time success rate was 75.5%. All included studies described improvement in their participants or healthcare system including significantly reduced midline insertion rates, central venous catheter insertion rates and associated bacteremia and sepsis, self-reported cannulation difficulty, specialist input, therapy delays and premature catheter failure rates. Further, there was significantly improved procedural confidence, knowledge and competence.

CONCLUSION

Simple teaching interventions can lead to competent ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous cannula insertion by novices, resulting in numerous positive outcomes for patients and healthcare systems.