Venepuncture & Cannulation

To provide underpinning knowledge associated with best practice for performing safe and effective venepuncture and cannulation, including a simulated practical experience in a controlled environment to assist the development of competent venepuncture and cannulation skills.

To raise awareness of the legal implications of the NMC and organisational policies regarding procedures and promote the safety and well-being of all patients who require venepuncture and cannulation.

DESCRIPTION

By the end of the course, practitioners will be able to:

• Discuss legal and professional responsibilities associated with performing venepuncture and cannulation
• Describe the relevant anatomy and identify suitable veins
• List indications and contraindications
• Identify and discuss the range of equipment required
• Understand the need to manage health & safety risk
• Demonstrate practical ability in performing procedures, gaining good quality blood samples and managing site appropriately
• Demonstrate correct procedures for minimising infection
• Identify potential problems, describing how to prevent them and what necessary interventions are required should they occur

Practitioners will be assessed by

• Undertaking a simulated venepuncture procedure
• Undertaking a simulated cannulation procedure
• Completing a post course knowledge assessment.

Course Content

• Venepuncture definition and indications and rationale for best practice
• Legal and professional considerations and responsibilities
• Consent for care and treatment
• Anatomy of blood vessels, potential sites and vein selection
• Venepuncture contraindications
• Methods for improving venous access
• Infection control and safe use of sharps
• Preparation and equipment
• Correct management of blood samples – order of draw, inversions
• Preventing haemolysis of samples
• Venepuncture procedure
• Possible problems – prevention and solutions
• Cannulation – definition and purpose
• Site choice
• Device considerations
• Equipment for cannulation
• Procedure
• Sodium chloride flushes
• Cannula checks
• Phlebitis
• Infiltration
• Extravasation
• Thrombo-embolism
• Practical workshop
• Knowledge assessment