Intravenous Access

The puncture of a peripheral vein with a plastic cannula (Braunüle, Venflon, ...) is one of the basic measures for every emergency patient. (Note: "Oxygen - i.v. access - ECG") On the one hand volume can be administered, on the other hand drugs can work quickly and safely with i.v. administration. Most emergency medications are characterized by a rapid onset of action. However, even if no acute drug therapy seems necessary, a sudden complication can be treated more quickly if the corresponding venous access already exists. It is advisable to carry out a blood sugar determination from the remaining blood in the indwelling cannula (indicator part of the puncture needle) after the i.v. access has been established.

The s.c. or i.m. The administration of a drug should not take place in an emergency situation, on the one hand it may be contraindicated (e.g. i.m. administration in the case of myocardial infarction due to subsequent lysis therapy), on the other hand the onset of action of the drug is delayed and therefore not easily controllable.

The placement of a central venous catheter is rarely necessary at the scene of an emergency. With aggressive volume therapy, 2-3 thick peripheral vein accesses are sufficient. If peripheral vein access is not possible and there is an urgent indication, a central venous catheter should be inserted if possible. However, there are other possibilities of vein access, such as the external jugularis vein or femoralis vein or puncture of the bone marrow space with an intrabony needle.