Why 22G × 1" with Passive Safety Mechanism for Secure IV Access

The 22-gauge catheter (0.9mm outer diameter) with 1-inch (25mm) length represents the optimal balance for most routine peripheral IV access—large enough to accommodate adequate fluid flow rates for maintenance therapy, medication administration, and blood sampling while small enough to access veins in patients with moderate to small vasculature including elderly patients, pediatric patients, and those with compromised veins. The Auto-Guard passive safety mechanism activates automatically upon needle withdrawal without requiring additional clinician action, eliminating the human error factor that compromises active safety devices and significantly reducing needlestick injury rates while streamlining insertion workflow. The BC (Blood Control) technology features an integrated valve that minimizes blood exposure during catheter insertion and connection, protecting healthcare workers from blood-borne pathogen exposure while maintaining clean insertion sites and reducing cleanup time. The Vialon™ biomaterial catheter softens up to 70% in the vein after insertion, conforming to vessel anatomy and reducing mechanical phlebitis rates compared to traditional PVC or polyurethane catheters, thereby extending dwell time and reducing painful catheter restarts.

Key Features & Benefits

Key Features:

• 22-gauge (22G) catheter with 0.9mm outer diameter for versatile IV access
• 1-inch (25mm) catheter length for standard peripheral vein access
• Auto-Guard passive safety mechanism automatically shields needle
• BC (Blood Control) technology minimizes blood exposure during insertion
• Vialon™ biomaterial softens in vein, reduces mechanical phlebitis
• Notched needle design improves blood visualization on insertion
• Transparent flashback chamber confirms vein entry
• Yellow color-coded hub for 22G identification (ISO standard)
• Tapered catheter tip facilitates smooth vein entry
• Universal hub compatible with standard IV tubing and extension sets
• Single-handed insertion technique possible
• Sterile, individually packaged
• Latex-free construction for allergy safety
• DEHP-free materials for patient safety
• Meets ISO standards for IV catheters
• Manufactured by BD (trusted global medical device leader)

Benefits:

• Passive safety activation eliminates human error in needle shielding
• Reduces needlestick injuries up to 95% compared to non-safety devices
• BC technology protects workers from blood exposure
• Softer Vialon material extends catheter dwell time 30-50%
• Decreased mechanical phlebitis improves patient comfort
• Fewer catheter restarts reduce healthcare costs and patient pain
• Notched needle provides clear flashback confirmation
• Color coding prevents gauge selection errors
• Single-handed technique streamlines insertion workflow
• Sterile packaging ensures infection control compliance
• Latex-free protects sensitive patients and staff
• Universal hub compatibility simplifies IV setup
• Reliable BD quality with consistent performance

Clinical Applications

BD Insyte Auto-Guard BC Pro 22G × 1" catheters are appropriate for:

✓ General peripheral IV access for adult patients ✓ Pediatric IV access (older children and adolescents) ✓ Geriatric patients with fragile or small veins ✓ Maintenance IV fluid therapy ✓ Antibiotic and medication administration ✓ Blood sample collection from peripheral IV ✓ Emergency department IV access ✓ Pre-operative and post-operative IV placement ✓ Outpatient infusion therapy ✓ Short-term peripheral IV access (up to 96 hours or as clinically indicated) ✓ Forearm and hand vein access ✓ Patients requiring moderate flow rates ✓ Contrast media administration (verify flow rate requirements) ✓ Chemotherapy administration (verify compatibility and flow requirements) ✓ Blood transfusion (may be adequate for non-urgent transfusions) ✓ Labor and delivery IV access ✓ Ambulatory patients requiring IV therapy ✓ Home healthcare IV access

Usage & Application

Pre-Insertion Preparation:

1. Verify order and assess patient:
   • Confirm IV therapy is ordered
   • Review patient allergies and contraindications
   • Assess for infection at potential sites
   • Review patient history (anticoagulation, previous IV difficulties)
   • Explain procedure to patient
2. Select appropriate catheter:
   • 22G × 1" suitable for:
     • Maintenance fluids and routine medications
     • Moderate flow rate requirements
     • Most adult patients and older children
     • Hand, forearm, and antecubital veins
   • Consider larger gauge (18G-20G) if:
     • Rapid fluid resuscitation needed
     • Blood transfusion planned
     • Viscous medications prescribed
3. Gather supplies:
   • BD Insyte Auto-Guard BC Pro 22G × 1" catheter
   • Tourniquet (single-use preferred)
   • Chlorhexidine or alcohol antiseptic
   • Sterile gauze pads
   • Transparent semipermeable dressing
   • Clean gloves
   • Normal saline flush syringes (10 mL)
   • IV tubing or extension set
   • Tape or securement device
   • Sharps container
4. Hand hygiene and glove up:
   • Wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
   • Don clean gloves per facility protocol
5. Position patient:
   • Ensure adequate lighting
   • Position arm extended and supported
   • Place absorbent pad under arm

Vein Selection:

1. Apply tourniquet:
   • Place 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above intended insertion site
   • Tight enough to impede venous return, not arterial flow
   • Should still palpate distal pulse
2. Assess veins:
   • Palpation more important than visualization
   • Look for veins that are:
     • Straight (at least 1-2 inches)
     • Springy and bouncy when palpated
     • Adequate size for 22G catheter
     • Easily palpable
   • Avoid veins that are:
     • Hard, cordlike, or sclerosed
     • Over joints (increased dislodgement)
     • Areas of bruising or infection
     • Bifurcated (branching)
3. Preferred sites for 22G × 1":
   • Cephalic vein (lateral forearm)
   • Basilic vein (medial forearm)
   • Median antebrachial veins (central forearm)
   • Dorsal metacarpal veins (hand)
   • Avoid antecubital fossa (save for blood draws or emergency)

Catheter Inspection:

1. Open sterile package:
   • Check package integrity
   • Verify expiration date
   • Remove catheter using aseptic technique
2. Inspect catheter:
   • Verify gauge (22G, yellow hub)
   • Check catheter and needle for defects
   • Ensure safety mechanism is not activated
   • Confirm BC valve is intact

Site Preparation:

1. Clean insertion site:
   • Chlorhexidine (preferred): Apply with friction for 30 seconds, allow to dry 30 seconds
   • 70% alcohol (alternative): Apply in concentric circles, allow to dry 30 seconds
   • Do NOT touch site after cleaning
2. Maintain tourniquet:
   • Ensure tourniquet still tight
   • Patient may make fist to further distend veins

Insertion Technique:

1. Hold catheter correctly:
   • Grasp catheter by finger grips/hub with dominant hand
   • Position thumb near push-off tab (will be used to advance catheter)
   • Rest hand on patient's arm for stability
2. Stabilize vein:
   • Use non-dominant hand to anchor skin and vein below insertion site
   • Apply gentle traction to prevent vein rolling
   • Stretch skin taut
3. Insert catheter:
   • Position needle bevel up (can see bevel through catheter)
   • Insert at 10-30 degree angle to skin
   • Use smooth, controlled motion
   • Advance until you see primary blood flash in flashback chamber
4. Lower angle and advance:
   • Once primary flash appears, immediately lower catheter nearly parallel to skin
   • Advance entire catheter-needle unit 1-2mm further (ensures catheter tip in vein lumen)
5. Thread catheter:
   • Hold needle stylet steady with one hand
   • Use push-off tab or slide catheter hub forward with other hand
   • Advance catheter smoothly off needle until hub reaches skin
   • BC valve automatically controls blood flow during threading
6. Release tourniquet:
   • Remove tourniquet with non-dominant hand
   • BC technology minimizes blood spillage even with tourniquet released
7. Activate safety mechanism:
   • PASSIVE ACTIVATION: Simply withdraw needle straight back
   • Auto-Guard mechanism automatically shields needle as it's withdrawn
   • You will hear/feel a click as needle locks into safety chamber
   • Needle is now safely contained and cannot re-extend
8. Apply gentle pressure (optional):
   • BC valve controls blood flow, but light pressure over vein just above catheter tip can minimize any residual leakage

Connection and Securing:

1. Connect IV tubing or flush:
   • Remove protective cap from catheter hub
   • Attach primed IV tubing or saline flush syringe
   • If flushing: inject 3-5 mL saline while watching for infiltration signs
2. Verify patency:
   • Flush should inject smoothly without resistance
   • No swelling at insertion site
   • Assess blood return by gentle aspiration (if needed)
   • Patient reports no pain or burning
3. Secure catheter:
   • Clean area around insertion site if blood present
   • Apply transparent semipermeable dressing over insertion site and catheter hub
   • Dressing should allow visualization of insertion site
   • Smooth out wrinkles in dressing
   • Secure tubing with strain-relief loop
   • Apply additional tape or engineered securement device per facility protocol
4. Label catheter:
   • Document gauge, length, insertion date/time on dressing label
   • Include inserter initials per facility policy
5. Dispose of needle:
   • Place entire safety device (with shielded needle) in sharps container immediately
   • Never attempt to re-expose shielded needle

Post-Insertion Care:

1. Remove gloves and hand hygiene
2. Document insertion:
   • Date and time
   • Site location
   • Catheter gauge and length
   • Number of attempts
   • Patient tolerance
   • Appearance of site
3. Educate patient:
   • Report pain, burning, swelling, redness
   • Protect IV site during movement
   • Keep site dry
   • Don't pull on tubing
4. Set monitoring schedule:
   • Assess site every 4 hours during continuous infusion
   • Before each intermittent medication
   • Document site condition each shift

Catheter Maintenance:

1. Site assessment (every 4 hours):
   • Inspect through transparent dressing for redness, swelling, drainage
   • Palpate for tenderness, warmth
   • Assess dressing integrity
   • Ask patient about comfort
2. Flushing protocol:
   • Every 8-12 hours if saline lock
   • 10 mL normal saline using 10 mL syringe minimum
   • After each medication administration
   • Maintain positive pressure when clamping
3. Dressing changes:
   • Transparent dressing: every 5-7 days or when compromised
   • Change immediately if damp, loose, or soiled
   • Clean site per protocol if changing dressing

Troubleshooting:

No blood flash on insertion:

• May have missed vein—withdraw and redirect
• Vein may have collapsed—release pressure, allow refill
• May have punctured through vein—withdraw completely, try new site

Flash then loss when threading catheter:

• Catheter tip may have hit valve or vessel wall—withdraw 1-2mm, rotate slightly
• Vein may be tortuous—try different angle
• Don't force catheter advancement

Inability to advance catheter:

• Do NOT force (risk of catheter shearing)
• May have entered at sharp angle—lower catheter more
• Vein may be sclerosed—try different vein
• Withdraw and attempt new site

Infiltration:

• Stop infusion immediately
• Remove catheter
• Elevate extremity
• Apply warm or cold compress per protocol
• Restart in different location

Phlebitis:

• Document using phlebitis scale
• Remove catheter if Grade 2 or higher
• Apply warm compress
• Consider alternative access

Safety mechanism won't activate:

• Should activate automatically upon needle withdrawal
• If malfunction suspected, carefully place in sharps container
• Never attempt to manually activate if failed
• Report device malfunction per facility protocol

Special Considerations:

Pediatric patients:

• 22G × 1" appropriate for older children and adolescents
• Younger/smaller children may need 24G
• Use topical anesthetic 30-60 minutes before insertion
• Distraction techniques during procedure
• May need assistant for stabilization

Geriatric patients:

• Fragile veins—use minimal tourniquet pressure
• Insert at very shallow angle (10-15 degrees)
• Advance slowly to prevent vein rupture
• May have decreased sensation—monitor closely
• Vialon material beneficial for fragile veins

Obese patients:

• 1-inch catheter adequate for most peripheral veins
• May need to palpate deeply to locate veins
• Ensure catheter long enough to remain stable in subcutaneous tissue
• Stabilization especially important

Anticoagulated patients:

• May experience prolonged bleeding after insertion
• Apply pressure longer (3-5 minutes)
• Monitor closely for hematoma
• BC technology beneficial for controlling blood exposure

Difficult IV access:

• Use vein visualization technology if available (ultrasound, vein finder)
• Apply warm compresses to dilate veins before attempt
• Position arm below heart level
• Consider specialist consultation after 2 failed attempts

Emergency situations:

• 22G may be inadequate for rapid fluid resuscitation
• Consider 18G-20G in larger vein for trauma/shock
• Multiple access sites may be needed
• Antecubital acceptable in emergency

When to Remove/Replace:

Remove catheter immediately if:

• Phlebitis Grade 2 or higher (pain and erythema, or palpable cord)
• Infiltration or extravasation
• Catheter occlusion that cannot be cleared
• Infection at site
• Catheter no longer needed
• Patient discomfort
• Dressing cannot be kept clean, dry, intact
• Partial catheter dislodgement

Do NOT routinely replace:

• Current evidence: no routine replacement schedule needed
• Replace only for clinical indication
• Routine replacement every 72-96 hours no longer recommended (per CDC)

Infection Prevention:

• Hand hygiene before insertion, access, assessment
• Aseptic technique during insertion
• Chlorhexidine skin preparation preferred
• Maintain clean, dry, intact dressing
• Disinfect hubs/ports before each access (15-second scrub)
• Remove catheter when no longer needed
• Use smallest appropriate gauge

When to Contact Provider:

• Signs of catheter-related bloodstream infection (fever, chills)
• Severe phlebitis or thrombophlebitis
• Unable to establish access after multiple attempts
• Extravasation of vesicant medication
• Suspected catheter embolism (catheter breakage)
• Patient develops allergic reaction

Technical Specifications

Product Details:

• Brand: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
• Product Line: Insyte™ Auto-Guard™ BC Pro
• Catheter Gauge: 22G (0.9mm outer diameter)
• Catheter Length: 1 inch (25mm)
• Catheter Material: Vialon™ biomaterial (FEP - fluorinated ethylene propylene)
• Catheter Features: Tapered tip, softens up to 70% in vein
• Needle: Stainless steel with notched design for improved flashback
• Safety Feature: Auto-Guard passive safety mechanism (automatic needle shielding)
• Blood Control: BC technology with integrated valve prevents blood reflux
• Flashback Chamber: Transparent for blood visualization
• Hub Color: Yellow (ISO standard for 22G)
• Hub Material: Medical-grade polypropylene
• Hub Compatibility: Universal connection for standard IV tubing and extension sets
• Flow Rate: Approximately 31-36 mL/min at gravity flow (varies with patient factors)
• Priming Volume: Approximately 0.3 mL
• Sterility: Sterile, single-use only
• Sterilization Method: Ethylene oxide (EtO)
• Latex Content: Latex-free (no natural rubber latex)
• DEHP Content: DEHP-free
• Packaging: Individually wrapped in sterile peel-open package
• Shelf Life: Typically 3-5 years from manufacture (check package)
• Intended Use: Peripheral intravenous access for infusion therapy
• Dwell Time: Up to 96 hours or as clinically indicated (not routinely time-limited)
• Patient Population: Adults, adolescents, older children
• Regulatory Status: FDA-cleared medical device, Class II
• Standards Compliance: ISO 10555 (sterile, single-use intravascular catheters)
• Country of Origin: Varies (check package labeling)