Hello. I have been using a needle guide to assist with insertions. The steep angle entry makes it difficult to thread the wire with an almost 90 degree angle approach. Is free handing cannulations with a lower angle easier or more successful.....??A probe with the needle guide attached does not allow an easy lowering of the needle as vein is often perforated in this process....any tips?..Mark
Hi, after you penetrate the vein with the needle and get a blood return, remove the needle from the guilde and discard your US probe, and remove your tourniquet. Lower the needle angle closer to the skin and advance the needle a smidge (1 mm), then you should be able to thread the wire through the needle easily with one hand while holding the needle hub with the other hand. Review this with your preceptor or someone very experienced on your team.
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC