The parent, child and young person experience of difficult venous access and recommendations for clinical practice: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

AbstractAims and objectivesExplore the parent and child/young person experience of difficult venous access and identify ideas and preferences for changes to clinical practice.BackgroundPeripheral intravenous catheter insertion is one of the most common invasive procedures in hospitalised paediatric patients. Multiple insertion attempts in paediatric patients are common and associated with pain and distress. Little research has explored the parent and child/young person experience of difficult venous access nor sought to identify their suggestions to improve clinical practice.DesignQualitative description.MethodsA purposive sampling approach was used to identify children and young people with experience of difficult venous access and their parents. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted, with sample size based on data saturation. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThere were 12 participants, seven parents and five children/young people (five parent/child dyads and two individual parents). Analysis of the data revealed three main themes: (1) Distress—before, during and after (2) Families navigating the system: the challenging journey from general clinician to specialist and (3) Difficult venous access impacts both treatment and life outside the hospital A pre‐determined theme, (4) Recommendations for good clinical practice is also described.ConclusionsMultiple attempts to insert a peripheral intravenous catheter are a source of substantial distress for children/young people, leading to treatment avoidance. Effective interpersonal skills, providing choice and avoiding frightening language are important to minimise distress. Clinicians without specialist training should assess each child's venous access experience and consider immediate referral to a specialist if they have a history of difficult venous access. Cultural change is required so clinicians and healthcare services recognise that repeated cannulation may be a source of psychological distress for children/young people.