Efficacy of Near-Infrared Vein Imaging for Difficult IV Placement

The efficacy of NIR vein finders beyond the first line approach, particularly in patients that have failed conventional peripheral venous access methods or in patients that are expected to be a "difficult stick", is not established. Conflicting results have been reported in the pediatric literature regarding the subjective benefit of NIR light devices in patients with perceived difficult peripheral intravenous access. In addition, knowledge about the efficacy of these devices in the adult inpatient setting is mostly unknown. The aim of the present study is to address these knowledge gaps.