title: Vascular access: a guide to peripheral venous cannulation.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the knowledge and skills required for peripheral venous cannulation, including anatomy and physiology, psychology, consent, vein selection, device selection, infection control, insertion technique, device securement, sharps' disposal and the prevention and management of complications. A period of supervision and assessment of competency is required to consolidate this theoretical knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London. kscales@hhnt.org
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scales
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans