Features of short-term and long-term infusion therapy: review of the vascular access technologies from the point of view of the nurse. Catheterization of peripheral veins
Authors: Hryzhymalskyi Ye.V. 
Published: July 2021

Background. Infusion therapy (IT) has a number of features that both doctors and nurses need to know. IT can be performed via a needle, a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIC), and an implanted system for long-term infusions (ISLI).

Objective. To describe the features of short-term and long-term IT.

Materials and methods. Analysis of literature sources on this topic.

Results and discussion. First of all, every healthcare worker should remember that the patient should be identified before any manipulation and then the procedure may start. IT via the needle has a number of disadvantages: complications due to the frequent punctures and prolonged stay of needle in the vein; limited possibility of long-term IT; increased risk of needle injuries among medical staff. The advantages of PIC above needle include the lower risk of infection, better safety, the possibility of rapid administration of drugs in various combinations, easy use of IT and parenteral nutrition, and the ability to monitor central venous pressure. PIC are classified by the presence of an additional injection port, by the material from which they are made, by the shape of the needle tip sharpening, by the visibility on X-ray and size. Venoport Plus (“Yuria-Pharm”) is an elastic teflon catheter with a low coefficient of surface friction, X-ray contrast strips and the possibility of a long stay in a vein (up to 72 hours). The advantages of the Venoport Plus PIC are the adaptive shape of the cap, the optimal inclination angle and SMART SLOT – a hole near the tip of the needle, which allows you to visualize the blood between the catheter and the needle without waiting for it to appear in the indicator chamber. The most suitable for the PIC placement veins are located on the outside of the hand and on the inner surface of the forearm. It is recommended to use the ulnar vein only for laboratory blood sampling and emergency medical care. When choosing PIC one should take into account the vein diameter, necessary speed of infusion, potential time of stay of a catheter in a vein, and features of the infused solution. After installing PIC, it is advisable to use special transparent aseptic bandages. Bandage replacement is performed as needed; daily replacement is not required. After PIC installation and after infusion, PIC should be washed with 0.9 % NaCl, heparin (1:100 dilution), or Soda-Bufer solution (“Yuria-Pharm”). If the catheter is not used, washing should be performed once a day. ISLI Yu-Port (“Yuria-Pharm”) provides long-term venous access and can be used if the patient needs multiple administrations of drugs during a long course of therapy.

Conclusions. 1. IT can be conducted via a needle, PIC, or ISLI. 2. The advantages of PIC over the needle injection are lower risk of infection, better safety, the possibility of rapid administration of drugs in various combinations, facilitated use of IT and parenteral nutrition, and the ability to monitor central venous pressure. 3. PIC Venoport Plus (“Yuria-Pharm”) is an elastic teflon catheter with an adaptive shape of the cap and the optimal angle. 4. When choosing PIC one should take into account the vein diameter, the required speed of infusion, the potential time of stay of a catheter in a vein, and the features of the infused solution. 5. ISLI Yu-Port provides long-term venous access and can be used if necessary for the multiple administrations of drugs during a long course of therapy.