The insertion of peripheral venous cannulas is one of the most frequently performed procedures in hospitals. It enables the administration of intravenous fluids and medication, nutrition and haemodynamic monitoring. In the UK, one in three patients will have at least one cannula inserted during their stay in hospital.

Can nurses insert cannula?

It has been suggested that cannula insertion is perhaps a medical task as doctors are more familiar with surgical procedures. It has been shown tha- nurses adhere more strictly to procedural aspects of IV therapy, such as washing hands (Grundy 1996).

Do nurses start IVS in the UK?

For starters, in the UK nurses tend to leave most decision-making up to doctors. ... The doctor will insert the IV cannula.