Insertion and maintenance of peripheral venous catheters in neonates

Insertion of peripheral venous catheters in premature and term newborns is a common practice in neonatology units and neonatal intensive care units. Nurses are responsible for the insertion and maintenance of peripheral venous catheters and for the prevention of complications. Although this technique is routine, a series of recommendations, supported by evidence-based practice, should be bourne in mind when inserting these catheters. Following these recommendations guarantees successful insertion, and the absence of risks and complications. To achieve this aim, the following steps should be carried out: preparing the material, selecting the vein, selecting the catheter, cleaning and disinfecting the area, inserting the catheter, fixing the catheter, and restoring intravenous therapy. In addition, attention must be paid to potential risks in order to resolve them as quickly as possible, thereby avoiding complications.