Role of a peripheral intravenous (iv) cannula

• Administration of intravenous drugs and fluids

 Equipment required for an iv cannula

• Tourniquet
• Cleaning swab
• Cannula of an appropriate Gauge- this depends on what you plan to administer
• Gauze
• 10ml Normal Saline flush
• “octopus” attachment
• Sharps bin
• Equipment to take blood if this is also required at the same time as cannulation
• Gloves
• Cannula dressing

Contraindications to iv cannulation

• Do not insert in an area of infection
• Avoid using feet if possible especially in diabetics and patients with peripheral vascular disease

 The procedure for iv cannulation

• Consent the patient verbally after explaining the procedure
• Set up a tray with your equipment and sharps bin
• Flush the “octopus”
• Apply the tourniquet
• Select an appropriate vein
• Clean with the cleaning swab
• Insert the cannula into the vein ensuring you do not insert it too deeply.
• Withdraw the needle and fix the “octopus”, dispose of your sharp
• Flush the cannula via the “octopus”
• Fix the cannula with a dressing
• Date the cannula