Vein location and assessment are essential to improve the success rates for vascular access. However, problems remain with first attempt success rates for peripheral cannulation and locating difficult veins. Practitioners may not be aware of developments in technology and aids to assist in the location and assessment of veins to achieve vascular access. This article provides an overview of two vein location aids that can be used to locate difficult veins: the IV-eye vein imager and the Vacuderm tourniquet. It discusses the patient factors that can increase the difficulty of vein assessment and location, and emphasises the importance of vessel health and preservation, and vein palpation. Practitioners should be experienced and skilled in the assessment of veins, and they are encouraged to revisit how they locate and assess veins.
Nursing Standard. 31, 25, 62-71. doi: 10.7748/ns.2017.e10778
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interestThe author undertook some consultancy work for Novarix Ltd for four months in 2015. She provided training for Olberon on the Vacuderm to staff at the Royal Derby Hospital in January 2017
Received: 29 November 2016
Accepted: 08 December 2016
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