Prospective Observational study of cannulation of Kids in the Emergency (POKIE)

Grant ID: EMTR-150R32-2019-Dunstan

Project Summary

Paediatric peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) insertion is a frequently performed procedure in the emergency department (ED), which can result in significant distress for both the child and caregiver, particularly when there are multiple attempts. Children with difficult intravenous access (DIVA) are generally poorly recognised but several studies have developed prediction tools. Furthermore, the use of ultrasound (US) has been demonstrated to improve the success rate of paediatric DIVA patients when used as an adjunct.

This research will shine a spotlight on current practice in the largest mixed ED in Queensland, which aims to determine factors contributing to paediatric DIVA patients and attitudes towards the use of US to assist first pass success. Furthermore, this background data will lay the foundation to inform an interventional trial using US to improve PIVC practices for children in the ED. Novice researchers in this project will be well supported by a research team with a strong track record of completing projects that can impact patient care

---

Dissemination

Publications:

- Dunstan, L., Sweeny, A. L., Lam, C., Goucher, B., Watkins, S., George, S., and Snelling, P. J, 2024. Factors associated with difficult intravenous access in the paediatric emergency department: A prospective cohort study. Emergency Medicine Australasia. doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.14477

- Lam, C., Dunstan, L., Sweeny, A., Watkins, S., George, S., and Snelling, P. J., 2023. A survey of paediatric difficult peripheral intravenous access in the emergency department and use of point-of-care ultrasound. Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. doi.org/10.1002/ajum.12353

Presentations:

- Sweeny, A., Intravenous access in the paediatric emergency department: a prospective cohort study. Emergency Care Research Symposium 2024, Gold Coast, Australia, 23/24th May 2024.

- Dunstan, L., Sweeny, A., Lam, C., George, S., Watkins, S., Snelling, P. J., Paediatric emergency peripheral intravenous cannula insertion and the potential role of ultrasound. Australasian College of Emergency Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting (Hobart) 2019.

---

SHARE