On this day, I learned how to cannulate a patient and venipuncture. I would be reflecting on the cannulation. A cannula is a tiny, plastic tube put into a good vein. Cannulas are usually inserted in the back of your hand or someone’s arm. A patient would need a cannula for the following reasons: for medication, fluids, and blood products to be given intravenously, and to facilitate blood sampling. The following items are needed for cannulation: cannula, extension set, tourniquet, gauze, pre-filled saline flush, alcohol swab, and cannula dressing. Firstly, introduce yourself and confirm the patient’s identity before cannulating. Secondly, it is important to sought the patient’s consent and inform him about the procedure. The lecturer asked the class about the purpose of a cannula, and we gave the reasons. She demonstrated how cannulation is done in front of the whole class while we observed and asked questions. After decontaminating your hands, you put on your apron. Since consent and introduction are already done, you look for a visible vein with your bare hand before putting on gloves, while communicating with the patient every step of the way. After feeling for the vein, you clean it with an alcohol swab, then put the tourniquet 7-8cm above the inserted site; this should be tight enough to impede venous return. The cannula is inserted using an aseptic non-touch technique. The cannula is inserted at an angle of 45 degrees, with each finger positioned on each wing and one in the centre of the cannula for stability and to form a C shape. While the cannula was being put in the vein, the stylet was also being pulled at the same time. You then have to look for primary flashbacks and secondary flashbacks. After the stylet is removed completely, it has to go into the sharp bin. The cannula is then clamped and the tourniquet removed. The other cannula lumen is closed with a bang. The clamp is then released and the cannula is flashed with the pre-filled normal saline using the push and pause technique. The patient is informed of every step of the process to ensure he is okay. If the normal saline goes through without any problem then the cannula is positioned correctly and working without any problem. The cannula is clamped again. A cannula dressing is then applied to the cannula on the hand. The date and time is then documented on the dressing. After the whole class observed the lecturer demonstrate the insertion of cannula we then did it individually whiles they went round to observe. I did some practices of the insertion of the cannula while the lecture observed and assessed me.

I learned the equipment needed in the insertion of cannula. I have also acquired the knowledge of the reasons and importance of insertion of a cannula. I have learned the process to use in inserting a cannula in a patients hand.

I can insert a cannula in a patient hand when needed under supervision. This will equip me to do my cannulation and venipuncture on my patient when needed in the future instead of calling another nurse to come and do it for me.

This is relevant to the NMC code to preserve safety. As I have been trained I will be able to insert a cannula safely into a patient’s vein following the right process under supervision.