The use of vein finders in Oncology and Chemotherapy Administration

Oncology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It includes medical oncology (the use of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and other drugs to treat cancer), radiation oncology (the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer), and surgical oncology (the use of surgery and other procedures to treat cancer).

One of the most useful and commonly used methods of treatments for medical oncologists is chemotherapy, often referred to as chemo. Chemotherapy refers to the use of specialized medications to kill cells that grow and divide quickly such as cancer cells.

Many types of chemo are given as an infusion or injection. With chemo infusions, chemotherapy drugs are put into the body through a thin tube called a catheter that’s placed in a vein, artery, body cavity, or body part. In some cases, a chemo drug may be injected quickly with a syringe.

Yet, Intravenous (IV) catheterizations are frequently applied in cancer therapy for hydration, nutrition, drug administration, and transfusion of blood and blood products.

 Oncology nurses are responsible for the safe and timely administration of IV treatments to the patients through a peripheral intravenous catheter ( PIVC), a central venous catheter (CVC), and management of any possible complication.  

Before peripheral intravenous catheter or cannula (PIVC) insertion, an appropriate insertion site must be selected (the forearm is preferred, avoiding joints). 

The chosen vein for insertion should be inspected and carefully palpated. Potential aids for improving venous access success should be considered. 

These may include vein finder tools (near-infrared light or ultrasound, as available) such as the portable Vein Finder SIFVEIN-5.2, which is highly recommended to medical oncologists. 

Studies indicate that the overall IV catheter failure rate (failure before the intended end date of use) lies between 35% and 50%. Whatever the cause, PIVC failure, by its very nature, can lead to personal discomfort for patients and requires additional medical treatment. For this reason, using a vein finder is vital to decrease the risk of failure.

Using the SIFVEIN-5.2 can aid staff within the oncology unit to find the right vein during patient treatment. Nurses can simply hold the device above the skin and the veins are easily identified on the surface of the skin. Easy to use, these vein finders can significantly minimize patients’ discomfort and save valuable time for both nurses and patients. 

Reference: Oncology, Knowledge level on Administration of Chemotherapy,

Disclaimer: Although the information we provide is used by different doctors and medical staff to perform their procedures and clinical applications, the information contained in this article is for consideration only. SIFVEINFINDER is not responsible neither for the misuse of the device nor for the wrong or random generalizability of the device in all clinical applications or procedures mentioned in our articles. Users must have the proper training and skills to perform the procedure with each vein finder device.

The products mentioned in this article are only for sale to medical staff (doctors, nurses, certified practitioners, etc.) or to private users assisted by or under the supervision of a medical professional.