ABSTRACT: Peripheral catheter placement is a fundamental task performed within the veterinary nursing profession and is a part of training towards gaining their qualification. According to a recent survey by the Institute of Employment Studies on behalf of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2017, one of the most frequent tasks carried out by veterinary nurses (VN) is the placement of intravenous catheters (Robinson, D., Edwards, M., & Williams, M., The Future Role of the Veterinary Nurse: 2017 Schedule 3 Survey). The statistics show that out of 1 1,625 respondents, 71.4% of VNs conduct this task. Being able to demonstrate competence in this area formulates a crucial part of veterinary nurse training. Gaining sufficient experience will help to reduce and prevent complications from arising. Examples of complications in human studies have included infection at catheter sites, haematoma formation and thrombosis. A step-by-step approach in terms of technique, catheter choice and design along with care and maintenance would reduce complications associated with peripheral catheter placement.

Author

Albert C. P. Holgate BSC (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN, RVN

Albert currently works for the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital based in Salford, where he holds the Clinical Manager position responsible for a team of both hospital assistants and qualified nurses. His responsibilities extend to logistics of satellite RSPCA branches and their surgical units and ensuring they have the resources they need from a clinical perspective. Albert qualified as an RVN in 2007 and went on to gain the advanced diploma, and since then has developed an interest in shelter medicine, such examples including, strategies for management of infectious diseases and nursing protocols with population management, veterinary nurse forensics, hoarding and cruelty case management. Since then, Albert has also graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Veterinary Nursing at Myerscough College.

E-mail: albert.holgate@rspca.org.uk

Keywords:  Peripheral catheter; catheter complications; catheter placement

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 34 (07) • July 2019 pp174-177

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