What is the most important reason for starting IV infusions in the upper extremities rather than the lower extremities of adults?

Please note that all guidance is currently under review and some may be out of date. We recommend that you also refer to more contemporaneous evidence in the interim.

Peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters are inserted into small peripheral veins to provide access to administer IV fluids (including dextrose and parenteral nutrition), medications, packed cell and blood product transfusions.

Blood required for diagnostic tests, including blood culture and venous blood gas can also be collected at the time of insertion.

Asepsis is the prevention of microbial contamination of living tissues or sterile materials by removal, exclusion or destruction of micro-organisms.

No-touch technique

The no-touch technique implies the use of sterile equipment, decontaminated hands and avoidance of surfaces or hands contacting exposed sterile equipment or sites. (This refers to the surfaces of sterile equipment that will come into contact with surfaces or sites that must remain uncontaminated to maintain asepsis).

These procedures require gloves if contact with blood or body fluids is likely.

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  • Demonstration of two ways in which a peripheral line can be held during insertion. The hub can be held by its sides between the thumb and the index finger; alternatively, if the line has a side port, the index finger can be curled around the tip of the (more...)

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