The Efficacy of Nurse-Performed Ultrasound Guidance Compared with the Conventional Cannulation Technique in Patients with Difficult Peripheral Intravenous Access: A Systematic Review

Objective The aim of this review is to highlight the efficacy of nurse-performed ultrasound guidance compared with the conventional cannulation technique in patients with difficult peripheral intravenous access. Design A systematic litterature review. Data sources The CINAHL and PubMed databases were searched for articles from the period 2011-2021. Method The following search words were used: peripheral intravenous AND ultrasonography OR ultrasound guided AND catheterization, peripheral/methods. The keyword catheterization, peripheral/methods was found via MeSH Terms (Medical Subject Headings) which PubMed recommended as keyword within the intervention of the conventional cannulation technique. Results 2 out of 3 articles prove that success rate on the first attempt (primary outcome) was significantly higher in the nurse-performed ultrasound-guided technique compared with the conventional palpation technique. The results of the secondary outcomes; time consumption, complications, patient satisfaction and nurse satisfaction between the two groups proved to be heterogeneous. Conclusion Nurse-performed ultrasound guidance in hospital wards increases the success rate in patients with difficult peripheral intravenous access.