Season 2 Episode 5: February 24, 2026 | The Hidden Risks of Routine IV Insertion in the Emergency Department

In this episode, Dr Grace Xu discusses the critical role of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in emergency departments, highlighting the challenges and current practices in insertion techniques. With over 20 years of experience, Dr Xu emphasizes the need for improved training, patient involvement, and evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and reduce complications associated with PIVC insertions. The conversation covers the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by patients with difficult venous access and the need for a systematic approach to improve outcomes in emergency care.

Grace Xu, Phd, RN,

Dr Grace (Hui) Xu, NP, PhD, is a Nurse Practitioner at an Emergency Trauma Center in Queensland, Australia, and a Senior Implementation Science Research Fellow at the Queensland University of Technology. As a Clinician-Researcher, Dr Xu is dedicated to the core belief that patients in emergency departments should receive medical treatment without any associated harm. 

Her work focuses on advocating and promoting evidence-based practices in patient care, with a particular emphasis on optimizing insertions and preventing complications associated with vascular access devices in emergency settings.

Host: Derek Fox, MSN, RN, VA-BC, CRNI®, NEA-BC

Guest: Grace Xu, Phd, RN,

In this episode, Dr Grace Xu discusses the critical role of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in emergency departments, highlighting the challenges and current practices in insertion techniques. With over 20 years of experience, Dr Xu emphasizes the need for improved training, patient involvement, and evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and reduce complications associated with PIVC insertions. The conversation covers the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by patients with difficult venous access and the need for a systematic approach to improve outcomes in emergency care.

References

Xu H, Bowdery J, To Y, Duff J, Griffin B, Ullman AJ, Rickard CM, Plummer K. Peripheral intravenous catheter clinical care standard adherence in emergency departments: a qualitative study underpinned by the behaviour change wheel. J Adv Nurs. 2024;00:1–15. doi:10.1111/jan.16409

Xu HG, Doubrovsky A, Rickard CM, Rockliff L, Tang C, Ullman AJ. Peripheral intravenous catheter care at Australian emergency departments: a cross-sectional observational study. J Adv Nurs. 2025;81(12):8597-8607. doi:10.1111/jan.16810

Xu HG, Doubrovsky A, Robinson N, Rickard C, Ray-Barruel G. Mismatch between antecubital peripheral intravenous catheter insertion and contrast CT use in the emergency department: a retrospective analysis. Emerg Med Australas. 2026;38(1):e70208. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.70208

Xu HG, Rickard CM, Takashima M, Butterfield M, Pink E, Ullman AJ. Exploring Australian emergency department clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes and adherence to the national peripheral intravenous catheter clinical care standard: a cross-sectional national survey. Emerg Med Australas. 2023;35(5):759-770. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.14214

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