BD Launches Ultrasound Guidance Modality to Facilitate Optimal IV Access

Could an emerging ultrasound guidance modality make challenging IV (intravenous) access a thing of the past for hospitalized patients?

Recognizing the frequent challenges with vessel visualization and access for IV placement in hospitalized patients, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has launched the BD Prevue^™ II Peripheral Vascular Access System, an ultrasound guidance modality that may improve the efficiency and safety of needlesticks for IV access.

BD said key features of the BD Prevue II Vascular Access System include:

• real-time needle depth markers;

• a specialized probe, which allows use of the technology without the clinician altering his or her field of view or current insertion technique;

• a virtual display of the needle trajectory with BD Cue^™ Needle Tracking Technology; and

• vessel assessment tools that help ensure optimal IV catheter length.

“Difficult IV access remains far too common today, but the availability of the BD Prevue II (Vascular Access) System supports a future where every needle stick has a predefined pathway for successful placement,” noted Eric Borin, the worldwide president of Medication Delivery Solutions at BD. “ … First-stick success also reduces the pain and anxiety patients often experience while undergoing multiple IV access attempts and provides clinicians with IV workflow efficiencies and confidence.”

BD added the BD Prevue Vascular Access System is compatible with BD Cue Needle Tracking-enabled catheters.

(Editor’s note: For a related article, see “Intravascular Ultrasound for Lower Extremity Interventions: Seven Takeaways for New Global Consensus Recommendations.”)