Not just a little pinch: first do no harm with pediatric peripheral IV catheters.

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVs) are mainstays of modern medical intervention, placed in >25 million US patients annually1 and in at least 44% of pediatric inpatients.2 Although PIVs are often essential for delivering medications, hydration, and nutrition to ill children, they are not without consequence or cost. In this issue of Hospital Pediatrics, Goff et al detail specifi c PIV insertion costs in terms of resources used and nurse-time spent, estimating an annual total PIV insertion cost for a 30-bed inpatient pediatric unit at $113 600. The authors argue for the creation of teams to place pediatric PIVs, as previous research suggests decreased PIV attempts, reduced cost, and improved quality when more experienced nurses and dedicated teams place PIVs.3–5