Operation STICK: A vascular access specialty program for the generalist emergency medicine clinician.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive education and training programs are urgently needed to improve vascular access outcomes in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to demonstrate the success of a formalized vascular access program in developing competent ED clinicians in traditional and ultrasound-guided insertion methods. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study exploring the success of trainees in obtaining competency in peripheral vascular access at an academic suburban ED with 120,000 annual visits. Eligible participants included healthcare workers that enrolled in the Operation STICK vascular access program and perform vascular access procedures as an aspect of their clinical practice. Competency in vascular access included both traditional and ultrasound-guided (US) peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertions. Competency was defined as demonstration of successful insertion of one traditional and one US PIVC in compliance with checklist. The primary objective was competency. Secondary objectives included trainee time to competency, trainee number of line encounters, and changes in program competency achievements over time. RESULTS: From October 15, 2021, to April 15, 2023, 141 clinicians participated in peripheral vascular access training via the Operation STICK model, which included 72 (51.1%) nurses, 52 (36.9%) ED technicians, and 17 (12.0%) healthcare personnel with other medical training. Clinicians overall reported an average of 5.6 years of experience inserting peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) and 23 (16.3%) had experience with using ultrasound. About 122 (86.5%) clinicians successfully completed the program and demonstrated competency in traditional and ultrasound-guided techniques. Time to competency varied over time, with a median of 124 days in the early phase, 32.5 days middle phase, and 10.6 h over 9.5 days in the later phase of the program (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Achieving competency in PIVC insertion necessitates a focused effort on refining and systematizing education and training approaches. Recognizing the inherent challenges present in ED settings, it is feasible to effectively and efficiently train emergency clinicians to be expert in both basic and advanced PIVC placement techniques through participation in a well-organized vascular access training program.

A standardized educational program to improve peripheral vascular access outcomes in the emergency department: A quasi-experimental pre-post trial.

OBJECTIVE: Difficult intravenous access (DIVA) patients are known to have disproportionately poorer vascular access outcomes. The impact of education and training on vascular access outcomes in this vulnerable population is unclear. We aim to demonstrate the success of a program (Operation (O) STICK) on improving vascular access outcomes in DIVA patients. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental pre-post interventional study conducted at a tertiary care emergency department (ED) with 120,000 annual visits and 1100 hospital beds. Adult patients requiring an ultrasound-guided (US) peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) in the ED were eligible participants. Traditional (palpation method) insertions were excluded. Using multivariable linear regression and inverse probability weighted (IPW) linear regression, the standard group inclusive of PIVCs inserted by staff without formalized OSTICK training were compared to the interventional group inclusive of PIVCs inserted by staff with training and competency in the OSTICK training model. RESULTS: Data were collected over two time intervals: 4/1/21-9/30/21 (pre; non-OSTICK) and 10/1/22-3/31/23 (post; OSTICK). 2375 DIVA patients included 1035 (43.6%) non-OSTICK and 1340 (56.4%) OSTICK PIVCs. Overall, OSTICK PIVCs had a higher proportion of upper arm or forearm placements (94.6% vs 57.4%; p < 0.001), 20 gauge catheters (97.1% vs 92.3%; p < 0.001), and left-sided placements (54.4% vs 43.5%; p < 0.001). 62.7% of OSTICK PIVCs were placed by ED technicians, compared to 25.5% in the non-OSTICK group (p < 0.001). OSTICK PIVCs were placed on the first attempt 86.2% of the time and by the second attempt 95.4% of the time. In a subanalysis of 1343 hospitalized patients (689 (51.3%) OSTICK vs 654 (48.7%) non-OSTICK), OSTICK PIVCs survived for a median of 92% of the patient's hospital length of stay, compared to non-OSTICK PIVCs at 74% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Formalized vascular access training in the ED leads to improved adherence to best practices for PIVC insertion, high success of cannulation with minimal attempts, and improved PIVC functionality during hospitalization for DIVA patients. Importantly, these outcomes are sustainable as they were captured 12 months after implementation of the program.

Evaluating the impact of external forces on peripheral intravenous catheter movement using ultrasound: A randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A major contributor to peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) failure may be related to PIVC movement within the vein which is associated with vein wall damage. The magnitude of PIVC movement against the vein wall has not previously been quantified. This study aimed to examine PIVC movement within the vein when minor forces were applied to the PIVC. METHODS: This was a prospective, pilot trial including healthy volunteers in an outpatient research laboratory. The primary objective was to examine the in movement (millimeters) of the PIVC using ultrasound with external pull forces (4, 5, and 6 lbs; 1.8, 2.3, and 2.7 kg, respectively) applied to the PIVC in random order. RESULTS: Participants (N = 11) were aged 40.36 ± 16.10 years with 54.55% being Male. Mean ± SD PIVC movement for 4, 5, and 6 lbs of force was 4.65 ± 1.88, 3.88 ± 2.28, and 5.25 ± 2.06 mm, respectively. There was substantial PIVC movement when a force was applied to the PIVC, but no statistically significant difference between 4, 5, and 6 lb forces (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: When external pull forces were applied to the PIVC, substantial PIVC movement within the vein occurred in a healthy population. Strategies that reduce PIVC movement and/or remove or limit external pull forces from the PIVC are needed. Future studies on hospitalized patients are warranted to quantify vein wall injury and PIVC failure due to PIVC movement from various pull forces.

Bridging the Gap in Traditional PIVC Placement: An Evaluation of Operation STICK Vascular Access Outcomes.

Objective: Education and training is core to improving peripheral intravenous access outcomes. This study aimed to show that a vascular access training program (Operation STICK) in the emergency department (ED) improves the outcomes of traditionally placed peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC). Methods: This was a pre-post quasi-experimental study of traditionally placed PIVCs at a large ED in southeastern Michigan, United States. A control group (non-OSTICK) was compared to an experimental group (OSTICK) using a 3:1 propensity score matched analysis. Groups were comprised of ED patients with traditional PIVC placements in two separate six-month periods: non-OSTICK PIVCs from April to September 2021 and OSTICK PIVCs (placed by an OSTICK graduate) from October 2022 to March 2023. The primary outcome was PIVC functionality. The secondary outcome was adherence to best practices. Results: A total of 6512 PIVCs were included in the study; 4884 (75.0%) were in the non-OSTICK group, while 1628 (25.0%) were in the OSTICK group. 68.1% of OSTICK PIVCs and 59.7% of non-OSTICK PIVCs were placed by ED technicians (p < 0.001). 91.3% of OSTICK PIVCs were placed on the first attempt, and 98.5% were placed within two attempts. A subgroup analysis of admitted patients (2540 PIVCs; 553 (21.8%) OSTICK-trained and 1987 (78.2%) non-OSTICK-trained) revealed 87.6% of OSTICK PIVCs and 80.3% of non-OSTICK PIVCs were 20 gauge (p < 0.001). The median proportion of dwell time to hospital length of stay was 94% for OSTICK PIVCs, compared to 88% for non-OSTICK PIVCs (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study underscores the value of education and training in enhancing vascular access outcomes. Implementing Operation STICK, a comprehensive vascular access training program, at a large ED has led to high first-stick success, adherence to best practice recommendations for site and device selection, and improved PIVC functionality for traditionally placed catheters.

Inadvertent Arterial Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Insertion With Corresponding Electrocardiographic Tracings: A Case Report.

Electrocardiographic (ECG) tip confirmation is a validated technique to place the distal tip of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in the distal superior vena cava at or near the cavoatrial junction during point-of-care insertions. This case report discusses an inadvertent arterial PICC placement despite navigation technology demonstrating similar confirmatory ECG changes seen in standard venous insertions. The findings demonstrate that ECG navigation technology should not be used to rule out arterial PICC placement.

Comparison of 2 Midline Catheter Devices With Differing Antithrombogenic Mechanisms for Catheter-Related Thrombosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Data regarding upper extremity midline catheter (MC)-related thrombosis (CRT) are sparse, with some evidence indicating that MCs have a high rate of CRT. Objective: To compare 2 MCs with differing antithrombogenic mechanisms for this outcome. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this parallel, 2-arm randomized clinical trial, 496 adult patients hospitalized at a tertiary care suburban academic medical center who received an MC were assessed for eligibility between January 1, 2019, and October 31, 2020, and 212 were randomized. Interventions: Inpatients were randomized to receive a 4F antithrombotic MC (MC-AT) or a 4.5F antithrombotic and antimicrobial MC (MC-AT-AM). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was symptomatic midline CRT inclusive of deep vein thrombosis or superficial venous thrombophlebitis within 30 days after insertion. Secondary outcomes included catheter-associated bloodstream infection and catheter failure. Results: A total of 191 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.2 [16.7] years; 114 [59.7%] female) were included in the final analysis: 94 patients in the MC-AT group and 97 in the MC-AT-AM group. Symptomatic midline CRT occurred in 7 patients (7.5%) in the MC-AT group and 11 (11.3%) in the MC-AT-AM group (P = .46). Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 5 patients (5.3%) in the MC-AT group and 5 patients (5.2%) in the MC-AT-AM group (P > .99). Pulmonary embolism occurred in 1 patient in the MC-AT group. No catheter-associated bloodstream infection occurred in either group. Premature catheter failure occurred in 22 patients (23.4%) in the MC-AT group and 20 (20.6%) in the MC-AT-AM group (P = .64). In Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between groups for the risk of catheter failure (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.67-2.43; P = .46). Conclusions and Relevance: No difference was found in thrombosis in MCs with 2 distinct antithrombogenic mechanisms; however, the risk of CRT in both groups was high. Practitioners should strongly consider the safety risks associated with MCs when determining the appropriate vascular access device. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03725293.