1 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 8
I
t's 0700. Your
patient is dehy-
drated, anxious,
cold and scheduled
for surgery in 30 min-
utes. Her veins that
are visible aren't pal-
pable. To dilate her
veins, you can apply
warm blankets, heat-
ing pads or warm IV
bags, all of which
could help. Here's another technique you can try. Fill a disposable
glove with warm water (make sure you can tolerate the temperature
and it's not too hot). Water should remain in the glove when you inter-
lace the glove's fingers between your fingers. Have the patient inter-
lace her fingers with the glove's for 5 minutes or so. You might find
that warming the surface of the hand increases the chances that
"something will pop up." These patients can be tough, so give yourself
the maximum opportunity for success.
Jay Horowitz, CRNA
Quality Anesthesia Care Corp.
Sarasota, Fla.
unconscious@verizon.net
Try This Tip on Your Tough IV Starts
• HEAT THE HAND A glove filled with warm water could help dilate a patient's
veins.
Jay
Horowitz,
CRNA