Failed attempts and improvement strategies in peripheral intravenous catheterization.

Background: Access to peripheral veins is necessary for sample collection, transfusion and infusion of fluids or medications. The peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC) procedure is the introduction of a short catheter into a peripheral vein and can be problematic, leading to multiple failed attempts.

Purpose: To analyze scientific literature regarding difficulties in establishing peripheral intravenous access and improvement strategies.