Use of procedural ultrasound for the insertion of peripheral intravenous catheters: A nationwide survey in acute care departments in Belgium.

PURPOSE: Assessment of ultrasound use for peripheral intravenous cannulation among acute care nurses and physicians. METHODS: Over a population of 17,437, the calculated sample size of respondents required was 376. RESULTS: A total of 388 health professionals; 249 (64.2%) physicians and 139 (35.8%) nurses completed the entire questionnaire. 166 (45.2%) used ultrasound for intravenous cannulation. A statistically significant difference favored physicians' ultrasound use (p<0.001). Respondents with less than 10 years of clinical practice used ultrasound significantly more (p<0.001). The main reported obstacle among users was the lack of time. CONCLUSION: This survey revealed the gap between the current recommendations for ultrasound use for peripheral intravenous cannulation and the actual practices. Efforts should be made to develop specific training using ultrasound.