Peripheral IV Placement for Healthcare Facilities

What Is a Peripheral IV

A peripheral IV (PIV) is a small catheter inserted into a vein to deliver medications, fluids, or nutrients. It is the most commonly used form of vascular access in healthcare settings and is appropriate for routine medication administration, fluid replacement, short-term treatments, and general inpatient care.

When Standard Peripheral IV Placement Is Used

Standard peripheral IV placement is used for patients with accessible veins and straightforward access needs. EPICC supports healthcare teams by providing efficient IV placement when staff resources are limited, consistent and reliable IV insertion technique, reduced delays in treatment initiation, and support that frees nursing staff to focus on direct patient care.

Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV Placement

For patients where standard peripheral IV access is difficult or has failed, EPICC uses ultrasound guidance to locate deeper veins that are not visible or palpable at the surface.

Ultrasound-guided IV placement is commonly used for patients who have:

• Difficult or previously unsuccessful IV access
• Small, fragile, or hard-to-locate veins
• Dehydration
• Frequent hospitalizations
• History of chemotherapy or long-term IV therapy
• Obesity or swelling affecting vein visibility

A portable ultrasound device allows the clinician to visualize veins in real time, select larger and more suitable vessels, and increase first-attempt success rates — reducing repeated needle sticks and improving the patient experience.

Supporting Workflow Efficiency

Delays in IV access slow treatment and increase workload for nursing staff. By providing dedicated vascular access support for both routine and difficult-access patients, EPICC helps facilities reduce repeated IV attempts, improve efficiency for care teams, maintain continuity of patient care, and reserve nursing time for higher-acuity clinical tasks.

What to Expect

• Dually signed service agreement in place.
• A request is made for peripheral IV support
• A vascular access specialist arrives on-site
• Patient vein accessibility is assessed and the appropriate technique is selected — standard or ultrasound-guided
• IV access is established safely and efficiently at the bedside
• Care teams can proceed with treatment immediately

Frequently Asked Questions About Peripheral IV Placement

What is the difference between a standard peripheral IV and an ultrasound-guided IV?

A standard peripheral IV is started by locating a vein visually or by touch, typically in the hand or forearm. Ultrasound-guided IV placement uses a portable ultrasound device to visualize veins in real time, allowing clinicians to access deeper veins that are not visible or palpable at the surface. Ultrasound guidance is used for patients who are considered difficult IV access, increasing first-attempt success rates and reducing repeated needle sticks.

When should a facility request vascular access support for peripheral IV placement?

A facility should request external vascular access support when nursing staff have made two or more unsuccessful IV insertion attempts, when a patient is a known difficult access, or when staff resources are limited and IV delays are affecting patient care. Early escalation to a certified vascular access specialist reduces patient discomfort, prevents vein damage from repeated attempts, and keeps treatment on schedule.

Can a peripheral IV be used for all IV medications?

No. Peripheral IVs are appropriate for medications compatible with smaller veins, including most standard fluids and short-term drug infusions. Medications that are vesicant, highly concentrated, or require continuous infusion over an extended period — such as chemotherapy, TPN, certain antibiotics, and certain cardiac medications — require central venous access via a PICC line or other central catheter. A vascular access consultation can help determine the right device for a specific medication and treatment plan.

How does ultrasound-guided IV placement benefit patients in skilled nursing facilities?

Patients in skilled nursing facilities often have complex medical histories, fragile veins, or a high volume of prior IV access, making standard insertion techniques unreliable. Ultrasound-guided IV placement gives clinicians the ability to visualize and access deeper, more stable veins at the bedside without transporting the patient. This results in fewer failed attempts, less pain, faster access to needed medications, and a better overall care experience for long-term care residents.

Peripheral IV Placement Service Areas

EPICC Vascular provides peripheral IV placement — both standard and ultrasound-guided — to healthcare facilities across Eastern Washington. Select your region to learn more:

• Peripheral IV Placement in Yakima, WA
• Peripheral IV Placement in Union Gap, WA
• Peripheral IV Placement in Ellensburg, WA
• Peripheral IV Placement in Prosser, WA
• Peripheral IV Placement in Toppenish, WA
• Peripheral IV Placement in the Tri-Cities, WA