Vascular access for venepuncture and peripheral intravenous cannulation is a common procedure within health care. First-attempt cannula insertion success rate has been found to be lower in some patient groups. Multiple unsuccessful cannulation attempts have negative impacts for both patients and practitioners. This article reports on research investigating the effectiveness of an innovative device called the Vacuderm—a single-use tourniquet with added manual vacuum pump—in increasing vein dimensions, temperature difference between vein and its surrounding and visual clarity through an additional effect of creating a vacuum on top of the tourniquet.

Maryam Asrar - PhD Researcher, Department of Product Design, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham

Amin Al-Habaibeh - Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems, Department of Product Design Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham

Bubaker Shakmak - Visiting Scholar, Department of Product Design, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham

Sally Jane Shaw - Clinical skills trainer, VIP Venepuncture & Cannulation Training, UK