I have a very old criteria grid used to evaluate vein conditions prior to cannulation. The grid graded the veins on a scale of 0 (best) to 5(worst), Vein size was compared to IV catheter gauge ie. 14g = large vein, 16-18g = med vein etc, . The grid also evaluated vein palpability with/without a tourniquet and vein condition ranging from soft and resilient, mod. hardening, corded, sclerosed etc. Does anyone remember this " criteria for judging veins" the author, which journal and edition the article first appeared.
No, sorry but don't think I have ever seen a grid like this. I would bet money that it was created by anesthesia because it states that a 16-18 g for a medium size vein. My opinion is that a medium size vein would be for a 20 g only and a large vein for an 18 gauge. 16 g would be reserved only for serious trauma patients in the ER and/or OR and would be replaced as soon as the need for large volumes was over. Diameters of peripheral veins in the hand and lower forearm ranges from 2 to 5 mm in most people. The basic principle is the smallest gauge catheter in the largest vein possible.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Robbin George RN VA-BC
3FR=1mm, 4FR=1.34mm, 5FR=1.67mm, 6FR=2mm
If your ultrasound machine measures veins in cm, divide by 10 to compare to the size of your catheter...
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC
This is a very interesting topic. I don't remember any grid like you mentioned.
I would question the vein size and the catheter size AND allowing blood flow around the IV catheter versus vein palpability. This concept has not always been a consideration. but we have more info on the complication of a larger catheter in a small vein now.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas