Ultrasound for Vascular Access Tricks
Ultrasound for vascular access in paediatrics can be really useful. The problem is that the distance between the probe and your target might be so small that you can’t see the needle on the screen before it has gone through the target!
To increase this distance put a thick layer of gel on the probe and use a clear dressing to keep it in place. You can almost get an extra 1cm to play with.
PS - Nick the skin with a sharp needle first to avoid tenting at the skin.
Use sterilisation solution (eg alcoholic chlorhexidine) as your interface between probe and skin to avoid getting slippery gel everywhere, which will make your job much harder.
