Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol

<b>Background</b>: Vascular access in emergency departments (ED) is challenging for patients with difficult venous access (DIVA), causing delays and discomfort. Ultrasound-guided techniques may offer improved outcomes, making it crucial to assess their benefits, risks, and the effectiven...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mercedes S. Peralta-Gámez, Marina Gómez de Quero Córdoba, Silvia Reverté-Villarroya, Roser Cuesta-Martínez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Nursing Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/5/177
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849327240815312896
author Mercedes S. Peralta-Gámez
Marina Gómez de Quero Córdoba
Silvia Reverté-Villarroya
Roser Cuesta-Martínez
author_facet Mercedes S. Peralta-Gámez
Marina Gómez de Quero Córdoba
Silvia Reverté-Villarroya
Roser Cuesta-Martínez
author_sort Mercedes S. Peralta-Gámez
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Vascular access in emergency departments (ED) is challenging for patients with difficult venous access (DIVA), causing delays and discomfort. Ultrasound-guided techniques may offer improved outcomes, making it crucial to assess their benefits, risks, and the effectiveness of validated identification systems. <b>Objectives</b>: To contribute new evidence regarding the effectiveness of validated tools for identifying DIVA and to assess the clinical benefits of ultrasound-guided vascular access in emergency care, and to assess their utility in arterial puncture for arterial blood gas sampling, from now on ABG, within the ED. <b>Methods</b>: This study follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines for protocol development and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines for the conduct and reporting of the randomized clinical trial (RCT). The trial will be conducted in Spain throughout 2025. The study population will consist of 114 subjects with difficult intravenous access (DIVA), identified using the DIVA scale for individuals under 14 years of age and the A-DICAVE scale for adults, along with 80 subjects from the general surgical area (GSA). Participants will be randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to either the Control Group (CG) (traditional technique) or the Experimental Group (EG) (ultrasound-guided technique). Data collected will include sociodemographic characteristics, procedure-related variables (e.g., time required, human resources, and materials used), as well as pain levels, assessed using validated scales (EVA, FLACC, PAINAD), and overall satisfaction from both patients and healthcare professionals. Ethical approval has been obtained, and the trial will be registered as an RCT through an official clinical trial registry before recruitment begins. <b>Results</b>: Expected results suggest ultrasound guidance will significantly improve first-attempt success rates, reduce procedural time, enhance patient comfort, and optimize resource utilization compared to traditional techniques. <b>Conclusions</b>: The integration of ultrasound-guided vascular access into routine emergency protocols could enhance patient safety, satisfaction, and procedural efficiency in emergency care settings.
format Article
id doaj-art-4e03a129f0cf452b99f70f186ff5a15c
institution Kabale University
issn 2039-439X
2039-4403
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Nursing Reports
spelling doaj-art-4e03a129f0cf452b99f70f186ff5a15c2025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-05-0115517710.3390/nursrep15050177Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial ProtocolMercedes S. Peralta-Gámez0Marina Gómez de Quero Córdoba1Silvia Reverté-Villarroya2Roser Cuesta-Martínez3Emergency Department, Ávila Care Complex, Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles Hospital, Avenida Juan Carlos I, s/n, 05004 Ávila, SpainNursing Department, Seu Vilafranca, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrera Amalia Soler, 29, 08720 Vilafranca del Penedés, SpainResearch Group on Advanced Nursing (CARING)-161, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 43002 Tarragona, SpainResearch Group on Advanced Nursing (CARING)-161, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 43002 Tarragona, Spain<b>Background</b>: Vascular access in emergency departments (ED) is challenging for patients with difficult venous access (DIVA), causing delays and discomfort. Ultrasound-guided techniques may offer improved outcomes, making it crucial to assess their benefits, risks, and the effectiveness of validated identification systems. <b>Objectives</b>: To contribute new evidence regarding the effectiveness of validated tools for identifying DIVA and to assess the clinical benefits of ultrasound-guided vascular access in emergency care, and to assess their utility in arterial puncture for arterial blood gas sampling, from now on ABG, within the ED. <b>Methods</b>: This study follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines for protocol development and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines for the conduct and reporting of the randomized clinical trial (RCT). The trial will be conducted in Spain throughout 2025. The study population will consist of 114 subjects with difficult intravenous access (DIVA), identified using the DIVA scale for individuals under 14 years of age and the A-DICAVE scale for adults, along with 80 subjects from the general surgical area (GSA). Participants will be randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to either the Control Group (CG) (traditional technique) or the Experimental Group (EG) (ultrasound-guided technique). Data collected will include sociodemographic characteristics, procedure-related variables (e.g., time required, human resources, and materials used), as well as pain levels, assessed using validated scales (EVA, FLACC, PAINAD), and overall satisfaction from both patients and healthcare professionals. Ethical approval has been obtained, and the trial will be registered as an RCT through an official clinical trial registry before recruitment begins. <b>Results</b>: Expected results suggest ultrasound guidance will significantly improve first-attempt success rates, reduce procedural time, enhance patient comfort, and optimize resource utilization compared to traditional techniques. <b>Conclusions</b>: The integration of ultrasound-guided vascular access into routine emergency protocols could enhance patient safety, satisfaction, and procedural efficiency in emergency care settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/5/177ultrasonographyperipheral venous catheterdifficult venous accessarterial blood gas analysisemergency departmentnursing care
spellingShingle Mercedes S. Peralta-Gámez
Marina Gómez de Quero Córdoba
Silvia Reverté-Villarroya
Roser Cuesta-Martínez
Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol
Nursing Reports
ultrasonography
peripheral venous catheter
difficult venous access
arterial blood gas analysis
emergency department
nursing care
title Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol
title_full Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol
title_fullStr Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol
title_short Comparison of Traditional and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Vascular Access in Patients with Difficult Venous Access in Emergency Departments: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol
title_sort comparison of traditional and ultrasound guided techniques for vascular access in patients with difficult venous access in emergency departments randomized clinical trial protocol
topic ultrasonography
peripheral venous catheter
difficult venous access
arterial blood gas analysis
emergency department
nursing care
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/5/177
work_keys_str_mv AT mercedessperaltagamez comparisonoftraditionalandultrasoundguidedtechniquesforvascularaccessinpatientswithdifficultvenousaccessinemergencydepartmentsrandomizedclinicaltrialprotocol
AT marinagomezdequerocordoba comparisonoftraditionalandultrasoundguidedtechniquesforvascularaccessinpatientswithdifficultvenousaccessinemergencydepartmentsrandomizedclinicaltrialprotocol
AT silviarevertevillarroya comparisonoftraditionalandultrasoundguidedtechniquesforvascularaccessinpatientswithdifficultvenousaccessinemergencydepartmentsrandomizedclinicaltrialprotocol
AT rosercuestamartinez comparisonoftraditionalandultrasoundguidedtechniquesforvascularaccessinpatientswithdifficultvenousaccessinemergencydepartmentsrandomizedclinicaltrialprotocol