CancerEUPICNCT07208175
Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Versus Traditional IV Insertion by Oncology Nurses in Adult Population Recieving Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy
A study testing Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion in people with Cancer, run by University of Galway at 2 sites in Ireland.
Trial summary
What is this study about? This study is comparing two different methods nurses use to place an intravenous (IV) drip, which is needed for many cancer treatments. Traditional method: The nurse finds a vein by touch and sight. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Cancer
- What is being tested?
- Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 98 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesIreland
- Study dates
- 20 Oct 2025to 30 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 years or older.
- Diagnosed with cancer (all cancer sites eligible).
- Scheduled to receive systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies.
- Requiring peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion for treatment.
Who cannot join
- Patients younger than 18 years.
- Individuals unable to provide informed consent.
- Individuals unable to cooperate with study procedures (e.g., cognitive or physical limitations preventing adherence).
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Ireland2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Galway University Hospital
Galway, Ireland, H91 E3YV
Caitriona Duggan, 0872213936, c.duggan23@universityofgalway.ie
Peter J Carr, PhD, 0872213936 ext. +353 91 492833, peter.carr@universityofgalway.ie
- Recruiting
Portiuncula University Hospital
Galway, H53 T971
Caitriona M Duggan, MA, +353872213936
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (EUPIC) Insertion Versus Traditional (Touch and Feel) Insertion Approaches by Oncology Nurses. A Mixed-methods Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
What is this study about? This study is comparing two different methods nurses use to place an intravenous (IV) drip, which is needed for many cancer treatments.
Traditional method: The nurse finds a vein by touch and sight.
Read more
Ultrasound-guided method: The nurse uses a small, handheld ultrasound scanner to see the vein under the skin to help guide the needle.
Why is it important? Sometimes it can take more than one attempt to get an IV drip in place, which can be uncomfortable. For cancer patients, whose veins can be more fragile, this is a common challenge. This research will help us find out if using ultrasound helps get the IV in successfully on the first try more often, which can make the treatment experience better.
What does participation involve? If you choose to take part, you will be randomly assigned (like a coin toss) to have your IV placed with either the traditional method or the ultrasound method. The research team will then collect some information about the IV placement. Your participation is entirely voluntary and will not affect your standard medical care.
Read the detailed description
Brief Summary:
This study compares two different methods nurses use to place an intravenous (IV) drip, which is needed for many cancer treatments.
Traditional method: The nurse finds a vein by touch and sight.
Ultrasound-guided method: The nurse uses a small, handheld ultrasound scanner to see the vein under the skin to help guide the needle.
Sometimes it can take more than one attempt to get an IV drip in place, which can be uncomfortable. For cancer patients, whose veins can be more fragile, this is a common challenge. This research will help determine if using ultrasound helps achieve successful IV placement on the first try more often, which may improve the treatment experience.
Participation involves random assignment (like a coin toss) to have the IV placed with either the traditional method or the ultrasound method. The research team will then collect some information about the IV placement. Participation is entirely voluntary and will not affect standard medical care.
Detailed Description:
Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a fundamental procedure for administering systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). A significant clinical problem in oncology is the high prevalence of patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA), leading to multiple insertion attempts, procedural pain, anxiety, and treatment delays. The traditional landmark technique, reliant on visual and palpatory cues, is often insufficient for this population.
Ultrasound guidance represents a potential technological advancement for PIVC insertion, allowing for visualization of deeper vasculature. While evidence supports its use in emergency and critical care settings, its efficacy and implementation within routine oncology nursing practice are not well-established. Existing studies in this specific population are limited and of low certainty.
This trial employs a pragmatic, mixed-methods design to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion by trained oncology nurses compared to the standard technique. The embedded qualitative component is critical for understanding the contextual factors influencing implementation, including clinician acceptability and the patient experience, which are vital for guiding future scale-up if the intervention is proven effective.
The intervention involves a structured, competency-based training program for oncology nurses in ultrasound-guided vascular access, developed and delivered by clinical experts at the University of Galway. The program's curriculum is grounded in task analysis and includes supervised clinical practice to ensure procedural competency prior to participant enrollment.
The study is conducted across a spectrum of oncology care settings to enhance the generalizability of the findings. The design accounts for key clinical covariates known to influence insertion success, such as DIVA status, through stratified randomization and adjusted statistical models. Data collection integrates quantitative metrics with in-depth qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive assessment of the intervention's impact on both clinical outcomes and human factors.
- Conditions
- Cancer
- Being tested
- Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion, Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter InsertionOther
In this arm, PIVC insertion is performed by oncology nurses who have completed a structured ultrasound training program. Nurses use real-time ultrasound imaging to identify and select a suitable vein, guide the advancement of the catheter, and confirm placement. This method contrasts with the standard touch-and-feel approach by incorporating ultrasound technology and specialized nurse training to improve first-time insertion success and reduce complications.
Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter InsertionOther
PIVC insertion performed by oncology nurses using the conventional touch-and-feel landmark technique, relying on visual inspection and palpation of veins. Represents current standard clinical practice in oncology.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion | Experimental | Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion Participants randomized to this arm will undergo PIVC insertion performed by trained oncology nurses using real-time ultrasound guidance. The ultrasound device will be used to assess and select a suitable vein, guide needle advancement, and confirm catheter placement. This approach is designed to improve first-time insertion success, preserve vein health, and reduce insertion-related complications compared to the traditional touch-and-feel technique. Receives: Other: Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion |
| Traditional (Touch-and-Feel) Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion | Active comparator | Traditional (Touch-and-Feel) Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion Participants randomized to this arm will receive PIVC insertion performed by oncology nurses using the standard landmark technique. This method relies on visual inspection and palpation of the vein to guide catheter placement, without the use of ultrasound. It reflects current routine clinical practice for establishing intravenous access in oncology patients. Receives: Other: Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
First-time insertion success (FTIS) of peripheral intravenous catheter
Proportion of participants with successful peripheral intravenous catheter placement on the first skin-puncture attempt. Success is defined as successful cannulation on the first needle puncture with confirmation of a functioning PIVC by (1) visible/aspirable blood return and (2) ability to flush and infuse a standard 10 mL saline bolus without resistance or infiltration. The outcome is recorded as a binary variable (Yes/No) on the case report form by the treating/research nurse immediately after the procedure and used to calculate the percentage of FTIS per arm.
Measured: At time of PIVC insertion (single insertion episode; assessed immediately following the procedure)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Oct 2025
- Study start20 Oct 2025
- Primary completion28 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Galway
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Caitriona Duggan, University of Galway
- Investigators
- Caitriona Duggan, Principal investigator, University of Galway
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07208175
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Ref: C.A 3374
- Other IDs
- CNRA21DUG.
- Acronym
- EUPIC
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 29 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) underlying the results reported in future publications will be made available to other researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Data sharing will require approval from the trial sponsor and a signed data access agreement. Data will only be shared for ethically approved research purposes and in compliance with GDPR and institutional policies.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (EUPIC) Insertion Versus Traditional (Touch and Feel) Insertion Approaches by Oncology Nurses. A Mixed-methods Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07208175
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EUPIC / Ref: C.A 3374
- Conditions
- Cancer
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of GalwayUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
What is this study about? This study is comparing two different methods nurses use to place an intravenous (IV) drip, which is needed for many cancer treatments.
Traditional method: The nurse finds a vein by touch and sight.
Ultrasound-guided method: The nurse uses a small, handheld ultrasound scanner to see the vein under the skin to help guide the needle.
Why is it important? Sometimes it can take more than one attempt to get an IV drip in place, which can be uncomfortable. For cancer patients, whose veins can be more fragile, this is a common challenge. This research will help us find out if using ultrasound helps get the IV in successfully on the first try more often, which can make the treatment experience better.
What does participation involve? If you choose to take part, you will be randomly assigned (like a coin toss) to have your IV placed with either the traditional method or the ultrasound method. The research team will then collect some information about the IV placement. Your participation is entirely voluntary and will not affect your standard medical care.
Detailed description
Brief Summary:
This study compares two different methods nurses use to place an intravenous (IV) drip, which is needed for many cancer treatments.
Traditional method: The nurse finds a vein by touch and sight.
Ultrasound-guided method: The nurse uses a small, handheld ultrasound scanner to see the vein under the skin to help guide the needle.
Sometimes it can take more than one attempt to get an IV drip in place, which can be uncomfortable. For cancer patients, whose veins can be more fragile, this is a common challenge. This research will help determine if using ultrasound helps achieve successful IV placement on the first try more often, which may improve the treatment experience.
Participation involves random assignment (like a coin toss) to have the IV placed with either the traditional method or the ultrasound method. The research team will then collect some information about the IV placement. Participation is entirely voluntary and will not affect standard medical care.
Detailed Description:
Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a fundamental procedure for administering systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). A significant clinical problem in oncology is the high prevalence of patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA), leading to multiple insertion attempts, procedural pain, anxiety, and treatment delays. The traditional landmark technique, reliant on visual and palpatory cues, is often insufficient for this population.
Ultrasound guidance represents a potential technological advancement for PIVC insertion, allowing for visualization of deeper vasculature. While evidence supports its use in emergency and critical care settings, its efficacy and implementation within routine oncology nursing practice are not well-established. Existing studies in this specific population are limited and of low certainty.
This trial employs a pragmatic, mixed-methods design to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion by trained oncology nurses compared to the standard technique. The embedded qualitative component is critical for understanding the contextual factors influencing implementation, including clinician acceptability and the patient experience, which are vital for guiding future scale-up if the intervention is proven effective.
The intervention involves a structured, competency-based training program for oncology nurses in ultrasound-guided vascular access, developed and delivered by clinical experts at the University of Galway. The program's curriculum is grounded in task analysis and includes supervised clinical practice to ensure procedural competency prior to participant enrollment.
The study is conducted across a spectrum of oncology care settings to enhance the generalizability of the findings. The design accounts for key clinical covariates known to influence insertion success, such as DIVA status, through stratified randomization and adjusted statistical models. Data collection integrates quantitative metrics with in-depth qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive assessment of the intervention's impact on both clinical outcomes and human factors.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion | Experimental | Other: Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter InsertionUltrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion Participants randomized to this arm will undergo PIVC insertion performed by trained oncology nurses using real-time ultrasound guidance. The ultrasound device will be used to assess and select a suitable vein, guide needle advancement, and confirm catheter placement. This approach is designed to improve first-time insertion success, preserve vein health, and reduce insertion-related complications compared to the traditional touch-and-feel technique. |
| Traditional (Touch-and-Feel) Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion | Active comparator | Other: Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter InsertionTraditional (Touch-and-Feel) Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion Participants randomized to this arm will receive PIVC insertion performed by oncology nurses using the standard landmark technique. This method relies on visual inspection and palpation of the vein to guide catheter placement, without the use of ultrasound. It reflects current routine clinical practice for establishing intravenous access in oncology patients. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adults aged 18 years or older.
- Diagnosed with cancer (all cancer sites eligible).
- Scheduled to receive systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies.
- Requiring peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion for treatment.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients younger than 18 years.
- Individuals unable to provide informed consent.
- Individuals unable to cooperate with study procedures (e.g., cognitive or physical limitations preventing adherence).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter InsertionIn this arm, PIVC insertion is performed by oncology nurses who have completed a structured ultrasound training program. Nurses use real-time ultrasound imaging to identify and select a suitable vein, guide the advancement of the catheter, and confirm placement. This method contrasts with the standard touch-and-feel approach by incorporating ultrasound technology and specialized nurse training to improve first-time insertion success and reduce complications. | Other | Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion |
| Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter InsertionPIVC insertion performed by oncology nurses using the conventional touch-and-feel landmark technique, relying on visual inspection and palpation of veins. Represents current standard clinical practice in oncology. | Other | Traditional (Touch-and-Feel) Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Insertion |
Primary outcome
First-time insertion success (FTIS) of peripheral intravenous catheter
Time frame: At time of PIVC insertion (single insertion episode; assessed immediately following the procedure)
Proportion of participants with successful peripheral intravenous catheter placement on the first skin-puncture attempt. Success is defined as successful cannulation on the first needle puncture with confirmation of a functioning PIVC by (1) visible/aspirable blood return and (2) ability to flush and infuse a standard 10 mL saline bolus without resistance or infiltration. The outcome is recorded as a binary variable (Yes/No) on the case report form by the treating/research nurse immediately after the procedure and used to calculate the percentage of FTIS per arm.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data (IPD) underlying the results reported in future publications will be made available to other researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Data sharing will require approval from the trial sponsor and a signed data access agreement. Data will only be shared for ethically approved research purposes and in compliance with GDPR and institutional policies.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Caitriona Duggan principal investigator
University of Galway
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Traditional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion in people with Cancer, run by University of Galway at 2 sites in Ireland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Ireland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Caitriona Duggan (+353872213936, c.duggan23@universityofgalway.ie), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
First-time insertion success (FTIS) of peripheral intravenous catheter (time frame: At time of PIVC insertion (single insertion episode; assessed immediately following the procedure)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Apr 2026.