Patients with difficult intravenous access at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals are benefiting from a simple but effective new solution – a discreet green silicone wristband designed to alert clinical teams and help ensure these patients are seen by the right healthcare professional first time.
The initiative – the first of its kind in the UK – is the result of a close partnership between Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Central Vascular Access Service and medical device manufacturer Vygon UK. The Trust is leading the way in adopting the bands, which are designed to reduce pain, prevent infection, and improve both patient experience and clinical efficiency.
Vascular Access Nurse Practitioner Lauren Lacey and Vygon UK Product Specialist Brad Appleby developed the idea collaboratively after discussing how to better recognise patients with a history of cannulation challenges.
“We’d been looking for a way to identify patients with difficult intravenous access more effectively and make sure they’re seen by the right clinician first time,” said Lauren. “When I spoke to Brad about it, we started exploring ideas together. It began with the concept of a card, but the wristband quickly stood out as a simple, visible and practical solution that could really make a difference.”
The bands – similar in style to the well-known charity wristbands – are designed in Vygon’s signature green and are currently being issued to patients based on a clinical scoring system. Those identified at high risk of failed cannulation are given a band to alert staff and prompt a direct referral to the vascular access team or a suitably experienced clinician. Vygon UK funded the design and produced the wristbands to support the Trust.
“Research highlights that the failure rate for peripheral intravenous cannulation is between 33%-69%, demonstrating just how common an issue it is. That’s why we’re so proud to support this project,” said Brad. “It’s a simple concept, but the potential impact on wellbeing and clinical workflows is huge. Patients sometimes go through multiple painful attempts before the specialist team is called in, so this band is a visible signal to act early and avoid unnecessary discomfort or risk.”
The wristbands have been well received by both patients and families, offering a practical way to reduce distress and support timely care.
“We hope this visual cue will help streamline care, reduce delays, and ultimately lower the risk of infection,” added Lauren. “It’s a small thing that could prevent a whole cascade of complications – from pain and bruising to more serious injuries and treatment delays.”
The partnership showcases the value of collaboration between NHS teams and industry. “It’s really helpful to have support from outside the Trust,” Lauren continued. “We believe it could have a massive knock-on effect – not just in terms of patient comfort, but also in preventing complications that increase costs and length of stay.”
Vygon UK sees this as a model for future innovation. “The NHS is full of brilliant ideas that clinicians don’t always have the time or resources to develop,” said Brad. “This project shows what’s possible when we work together. We’re not just here to supply products – we support teams, provide training and help bring practical solutions to life.”
With early success in Gloucestershire, Vygon is exploring wider NHS adoption of the wristband model to support vascular access teams and improve outcomes for more patients across the country.
For more information visit https://vygon.co.uk
