Bill’s Experience: The Impact of Unnecessary Cannulation

Bill had eye surgeries requiring general anesthesia. A cannula was inserted for potential overnight pain relief, it was never used, causing discomfort and disturbing his sleep. His experience underscores the importance of only inserting cannulas when truly necessary.
Story Description

Bill’s story aligns with the 2021 Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard, particularly Quality Statements 1.

Quality Statement 1 – Assessment for insertion
Ensuring a PIVC is inserted only when clinically indicated, following appropriate assessment and shared decision-making.

More Real Life Story

Bob’s Story

Bob was admitted to a ward and had multiple PIVC sites during his 4-day admission, with poor documentation of insertions, assessments, and removals. On day 3, Bob developed skin changes and bruising around one cannula, which was removed the following day. By day 4, Bob deteriorated with sepsis and had positive blood cultures for MSSA, consistent with SAB.

Poor PIVC documentation and management made it difficult to confirm the source, but the PIVC was the most likely cause of the SAB.

This story aligns with ACSQHC Quality Statements 1, 7, and 10.

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