Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access (UGVA) Training is a technique that allows a trained operator to accurately and rapidly insert a catheter into the target vessel. The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance and employs a sophisticated angle measuring device (AMDE), which allows for precise alignment of the tip of the catheter within millimeters of the intended insertion site. This can be critical in obtaining accurate measurements during vascular access procedures.
In addition vascular access training courses have several advantages over traditional vascular access procedures:
Benefits of Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access
Reduce intravascular catheter insertion complications
UGVA training has been proven to reduce complications related to intravascular catheter insertion by up to 50%. In fact, it is one of the most effective ways to train healthcare providers on how to insert an IV catheter safely.
This course aims to provide you with skills in performing ultrasound-guided vascular access procedures. You will learn how to use an ultrasound machine as a diagnostic tool during your clinical practice rotations in healthcare settings, including emergency departments, operating rooms, hospitals and more.
Increases the success rate of UGVA
Vascular access can be a difficult procedure to perform, especially when it is your first time. The more you practice, the better your skills become and the higher your success rate will be.
It helps you learn how to maintain a sterile environment
The UGVA training course teaches you how to maintain a sterile environment by using sterile techniques during each step of the procedure. You will also learn about blood safety, proper injection techniques and how to recognize potential complications that may arise during this procedure. This allows you to become an expert in vascular access procedures and perform them with ease.
Increases patient safety
UGVA uses Ultrasound technology to guide the needle into the vein, reducing the risk of complications during this procedure. It also allows for better viewing of the procedure, which means that there are fewer chances of misdiagnosis and can result in shorter hospital stays and lower costs for both patients and healthcare providers alike.
Lower needle insertion attempts
In a study of ultrasound-assisted open vascular access (UGVA) in adults, the authors reported that after UGVA, the mean number of attempts to obtain an arterial puncture was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). The average total time to arterial puncture was significantly shorter with UGVA than with conventional techniques (p = 0.02). Therefore, UGVA reduces the need for multiple attempts at intravenous catheterization, which is associated with increased complications, including infection, thrombophlebitis and haematoma formation.
Decreased post-surgical pain
UGVA is not just for reducing post-op pain. It also reduces the risk of infection, one of the most common causes of late complications. This is because the ultrasound contrast agents used in UGVA are antimicrobial and help reduce adhesion formation between the blood vessel wall and the catheter. The ultrasound contrast also helps localize the catheter tip within the vessels, which helps guide the placement of the needle-less introducer system (LIS).
In addition to helping with pain reduction, UGVA can decrease your overall recovery time. The LIS uses a special fluid that absorbs the blood vessel wall and creates a lubricated seal around it. This allows for easier insertion of needles for accessing all blood vessels in a limb or major artery more quickly than traditional techniques such as intravenous cannulation (IVC) or arterial cannulation (AC).
