IV Insertion and IV Removal
Key Points
- Confirm order, allergies, and identity before any insertion or removal step.
- Use strict aseptic technique and securement to reduce dislodgement and infection risk.
- After removal, verify catheter tip integrity and monitor for bleeding or local complications.
Equipment
- Gloves, antiseptic product, tourniquet, and correctly sized peripheral IV catheter
- Extension set/needleless cap, normal saline syringe, securement device, transparent dressing, and label
- For removal: sterile gauze, tape, antiseptic swab, and disposal supplies per policy
Procedure Steps
- Verify provider order, review allergies and vascular factors, gather supplies, and confirm two patient identifiers.
- Assess upper-extremity veins, choose a suitable site, cleanse with approved antimicrobial, and allow full drying time.
- Reapply tourniquet, insert catheter at about 10 to 15 degrees, confirm flashback, advance catheter, and release tourniquet.
- Connect extension set aseptically, confirm blood return, flush per policy without tissue swelling, and secure with engineered device plus transparent dressing.
- Label dressing per policy, dispose sharps safely, reassess patient status, and complete documentation.
- For removal, remove dressing carefully, withdraw catheter with steady motion, hold pressure until hemostasis (longer if anticoagulated), inspect catheter tip intactness, redress site, and monitor for complications.
Common Errors
- Failure to maintain sterile connector/site handling → increased local infection and CR-BSI risk
- Inadequate pressure or omitted tip inspection during removal → bleeding complications or missed catheter fragment concern
Related
- peripheral-iv-access - Foundational site selection and insertion safety principles.
- peripheral-iv-therapy-complications - Ongoing monitoring and escalation for local/systemic adverse events.