Difficult venous access (DIVA) is a prevalent clinical challenge that affects patient safety, satisfaction, and healthcare resource utilization. Studies indicate that an estimated 22% of people presenting to the emergency department requiring an IV have DIVA, resulting in multiple failed attempts, delayed therapy, and increased costs. This webinar will review the updated definition of DIVA and the SAFE rule for prediction, as proposed by Bahl et al. (2024), and examine the validation and reliability of the Comprehensive DIVA Scoring Tool.
Participants will learn evidence-based strategies for early identification and escalation, including the integration of population-specific assessment tools and visualization technologies. Emphasis will be placed on aligning practice with the 2024 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice and ensuring the availability of essential vascular access tools to help improve first-attempt success rates, mitigate risk of complications, and enhance patient outcomes.
Objectives:
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Define difficult venous access (DIVA) using the updated criteria and understand its clinical and economic impact.
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Apply the SAFE (See. Ask. Feel. Evaluate BMI) rule and the Comprehensive DIVA Scoring Tool to predict patients at risk for DIVA.
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Identify essential vascular access tools and technologies that support first-attempt success and reduce complications.
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Implement evidence-based strategies for early escalation and workflow integration aligned with current Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice.
