Peripheral intravenous cannulation is a common clinical procedure in today's healthcare setting. There are a range of different devices to choose from, and this article will consider the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections and needlestick injuries, national and international guidelines on infection prevention and safety in intravenous access, the need for closed catheters, features of the Introcan Safety® 3 (B. Braun Melsungen AG) and research into peripheral cannulas.

Andrew Barton - Advanced Nurse Practitioner—Vascular Access & IV Therapy, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Roy Ventura - IV Access Specialist Nurse, Aintree University NHS Foundation Trust

Boris Vavrik - Registered Nurse, Medical Student, Queen's University Belfast