Superficial peripheral vein type classification of adolescents, adults and elderly according to the Delphi technique.

This descriptive research attempts to cooperate with the standardization of communication about vein types in nursing. Authors utilized the "Delphi" technique and aimed at elaborating and validating a peripheral vein type classification of adolescents/adults/elderly according to their vein characteristics. Initially, authors identified different vein types in literature. This was a preliminary classification that contained the titles and definitions, which were complemented during the expert (nurses, angiologists, anesthetists and biochemists) validation process. Twelve criteria and 27 vein types were validated (agreement level > or =90%). In addition, authors organized a set of pictures representing the different vein types. From these, 144 were used; 35 experts chose one picture to exemplify each classification title. The pictures representing 21 vein types were identified. This classification contributes to the clinical assessment of blood vessels and can be used in teaching, research and patient care management.