Apply a warm compress covering the entire arm for 15 to 20 minutes. Massage the area in the direction of the venous flow. Apply a Tourniquet 6 to 8 inches above the insertion site. Be sure that the tourniquet is not tight enough to cut off arterial circulation. Have the patient periodically clench his fist.
Some nurses gently pat or tap the area over the vein.
Apply manual pressure to both distal and proximal ends of the vein to dilate it, and to prevent the patient from jerking the arm away when the catheter is inserted. Some nurses report that in patients whose veins have lost elasticity, such as in older patients or those with sclerotic veins, it can be helpful to start an IV without the use of a tourniquet. If you try this technique, make sure that the patient is adequately hydrated, and you are able to easily visualize the vein. Pump the pressure up to a point between the patient's systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Leave the cuff inflated at that level during the procedure.