An Innovative Taping Technique for Improved Intravenous (IV) Catheter Securement

This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized study to assess the ability of taping methods used to secure intravenous (IV) catheters to resist the IV from being pulled away from the skin. Participants will have IV catheters taped on top of the skin (without insertion into the skin) using three taping methods, BCH Emergency Department (BCH ED), Chevron, and our novel method. Six measurements will be obtained per subject (3 random taping methods measuring their resistance to force in two directions, retrograde direction or towards the wrist and 90-degree angle to the arm).

Accidental removal of IV catheters delay patient care and can cause additional medical anxiety and pain that is heightened in the pediatric population. Moreover, such failed catheters create an increased burden economically and emotionally to patients, hospitals, and clinicians. To facilitate the most accurate, consistent results, a calibrated hand wheel test stand with a force gauge will be used to obtain force measurements. We will obtain the amount of force is required to remove the IV catheter form the skin of the subjects to compare the three taping measurements in two different directions. The retrograde direction will be pulling the IV distally from the IV site, towards the participant's wrist. The 90-degree angle will be pulling the IV medially away from the IV site.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Employees of Boston Children's Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals under the direct supervision of any study investigators
* Individuals with excessive hair in/near the antecubital fossa region on either arm
* Individuals with fragile and/or non-intact skin in/near the antecubital fossa region
* Individuals who have adhesive allergies
* Individuals who have already participated