Using a Near Infrared Device to Improve Successful Venous Access in Children with Special Health Care Needs

Excerpt: The use of NIR significantly increased intravenous access success rates when compared with visualization or palpation (26% vs 19.6%; P < 0.0001). Modality had a statistically significant effect on the number of attempts (P < 0.0001), but only a slight clinical significance (NIR, up to 1-4 attempts and ultrasound or transillumination combined, 1-6 attempts). Conclusions: NIR decreases the number of attempts and improve overall success rates in acquiring PVA in CSHCN. Further studies on maximizing PVA success in this patient population are warranted.