Comments on: 4 Sloppy IV Mistakes You Should Avoid

By: Susie

Susie — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:25:14 +0000

Is it possible to have part of the iv left in hand after removal ? I dont want to sound crazy but after it being out for a week it is getting swollen and becoming painful only the last two days and my vein feels like it has a long skinny object in it when I touch it. This just started the first 5 days after removal it was just a little sore now I have to wonder… Thanks for any input.

By: Grae O'Niell

Grae O'Niell — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:17:11 +0000

Hey Steve, I have a question.
About a week ago I was hospitalised for two days and two nights for a Kidney infection. Im fine now, but they put an IV in my wrist and it ended up getting clogged the next day so they took it out. Which was fine because I was allowd to go home that day. But now my vein is still all hard and swollen and soar. Is this normal? This is the first IV I’ve ever had and would really apriciate some help.
Thank you!
G.O.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:17:15 +0000

I had a nurse put in an IV. She blew my vein. Instantly my wrist puffed up. She left the needle in, turned on the iv to see if it would run, then taped it down wiped off my hand and said, “Oh I might want to remove the tourinquet.” My hand is now swollen and black and blue from my thumb halfway up my arm. Im in so much pain I can barely make a fist. This happened on a Friday, it is now Monday and I have no relief. I am a CNA studying to be a nurse and even I know to remove the tourniquet and remove the needle. My IV was never removed and restarted. it was left in during my whole 3 hour procedure.

By: Daniel Garofalo

Daniel Garofalo — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:23:19 +0000

Just had an IV today for an Endoscopy test. I had 4 nurses try several veins, both arms. Most did everything that was discussed in your article. Painful at the time, however reading your article 10 hours later was kinda funny. I was able to recoup without any medical problems.

I asked each nurse if they wanted me to help or do anything, I was turned down . Finally, Nancy another nurse, found my AC, whatever that is, and on the first attempt started the IV. I thanked her and will always remember her name. All the nurses were great, I was just a Challenge with deep Veins and what they described as having muscle mass. I assured them it wasn’t muscle mass.

Thanks for a great article it was truely informative and entertaining.

By: Mary RN

Mary RN — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:33:31 +0000

Thanks for your website. It is great to share tips. I’ve been starting IV’s for about 25 years and it is always good to continue to improve. I agree with Duke, hand pumping and flicking the vein does help sometimes. I wouldn’t do those things on a routine basis. I loved reading ‘don’t blame the patients’ when the IV doesn’t go in the first time. That is rude! Even if it were true, not a nice thing to say! My addition, if I had a vein blow, I have had success not using a tourniquet on the second try, if you see a good vein. I do respectfully disagree on picking the site within 12 seconds. Probably that is necessary in emergency ambulance scenarios. If you are in the hospital setting and no emergency is happening. Take your time and find a good vein. This makes a huge difference. I have a good first stick success rate with carefully finding a good vein.

By: Duke Powell

Duke Powell — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:27:23 +0000

I’ve been starting IV’s for over 30 yrs working at a busy metro ambulance service. In my experience, hand pumping and “flicking” the vein with my finger works well.

In any event, very nice website. I’ve enjoyed my time here and will be back on a regular basis.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:59:37 +0000

I want to add one.
Stop going straight for AC’s. Remember what you were taught in EMT – I or Paramedic class. Start Distal and work Proximal.
It agrivates me when somone ask for my advice on where to stick after missing or blowing an AC and the pt had ropes all below that site. Unless its a truama then by all means AC away

By: nurse831010

nurse831010 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:05:36 +0000

@ Janet…Try not to generalize so much…There are great nurses, paramedics, EMTs out there that DO listen to our patients about their bodies. Unfortunately, the vein that was good yesterday may not be as good as another today…AND I assure you that most nurses don’t see finding a vein as a “sick challenge.” As a patient, it is always your right to ask someone to stop what they are doing or ask for someone else. So next time that you have an issue, do that instead of posting generalized, negative statements on a website that is intended to help professionals become better.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:02:23 +0000

I do have a question for all the nurses out there performing IV’s? Why don’t you ever listen to the patient?? We know our bodies best and some of us have had IV’s several times (including myself), and know where a vein can be found. But I swear at times it’s some sick challenge for nurses to get the vein they pick. I have had them dig, pump my hand, blow out veins, made me pass out, and left horrific bruising. Here’s a thought, it’s not digging for gold. If you can not find it perhaps listen to the patient when we say something like “I have always had good luck in my hand”.. Hence the fifty poke marks. Just listen, then maybe the patient would not have to go through unnecessary pain.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:47:14 +0000

Steve, I JUST had this happen to me today. Was having an MRI with contrast, the tech missed the stick to run the dye in on the first try, and asked me if my veins ever blow! Totally made me feel like it was my fault. There is so much wrong with our health care system; more guys like you should be training people! Keep up the good advice.