Lead the change to become proficient in the next generation of IO access
IO access is recommended by multiple professional industry associations—such as the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP),10 the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA),11 the American Heart Association (AHA),12 the Infusion Nurses Society (INS)13 and the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP)14,15—for situations where care is compromised without rapid vascular access and IV access is not available.
ACEP Policy Statement
There are situations in the emergency department when intravenous access procedures fail or are insufficient to meet the clinical needs of the patient. Alternative access methods must be available under such circumstances and their usage should be a part of the emergency medicine practice privileges. These alternate access modalities include, but are not limited to, intraosseous lines.10
INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice 2021
IO access has a reported high rate of first-time insertion success with low complications. Insertion of an IO device may avoid delays to delivery of necessary medication and fluid. [...] Anticipate use of the IO route in the event of adult or pediatric cardiac arrest if IV access is not available or cannot be obtained quickly. Pediatric advanced life support guidelines recommend the use of the IO route as the initial vascular access route in case of cardiac arrest.13
NAEMSP Position Statement for Out-of-Hospital Settings
IO access may be appropriate for primary vascular access in select cases.14 In out-of-hospital environments, IO access may provide significant time savings that could benefit patients in emergent situations by decreasing the time required to achieve access and the time required to administer the necessary fluids and medications.15