Services & Specialties

Vascular Access

Specialized Vascular Access Care for Children of All Ages

When your child needs an IV, PICC line, blood draw, or other vascular access procedure, it can feel stressful for both you and your child. Families often worry about discomfort, multiple needle sticks, or how a procedure may affect their child's care.

The Vascular Access Team (VAT) at Cincinnati Children’s provides expert support for children of all ages, from newborns to young adults. Our highly specialized clinicians perform thousands of vascular access procedures each year and work closely with your child's care team to choose the right device and approach for their unique needs.

Whether your child needs a peripheral IV, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), central line support, or laboratory blood draws, our team combines advanced expertise with a child-centered approach that focuses on safety, comfort and successful outcomes.

Vascular Access Expertise and Patient Support

Trusted Pediatric Vascular Access Specialists

Our clinicians are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in pediatric vascular access. Hospitals across the country seek guidance from Cincinnati Children’s on best practices, safety initiatives, device selection and clinical protocols.

As one of the largest dedicated pediatric vascular access teams in the nation, we bring extensive experience to every procedure. High procedural volume helps our team maintain advanced technical skills and deliver consistent, reliable care.

Personalized Care for Every Child

Vascular access is not one-size-fits-all. Every child has different medical needs, anatomy and comfort considerations.

Our team carefully evaluates each patient to determine the right device, the right technique and the right timing. This personalized approach helps reduce discomfort, improve success rates and support long-term device health.

We also consider developmental needs, sensory preferences and family concerns throughout the process.

A Team Approach That Supports Better Outcomes

Successful vascular access requires close collaboration across many areas of care.

Our team works closely with bedside nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, anesthesiologists, surgeons, infectious disease specialists and quality improvement teams. This team-based approach helps ensure vascular access decisions align with your child's overall treatment plan.

Families benefit from coordinated care that promotes safety, reduces complications and supports the best possible outcomes.

Experience Families Can Trust

Experience matters in pediatric vascular access. In the last year, our team performed:

• More than 23,200 peripheral IV placements
• More than 1,400 PICC placements
• More than 6,500 laboratory blood draws

These volumes reflect the trust families and care teams place in our specialists every day.

Our team also plays an important role in improving patient safety throughout the hospital by supporting evidence-based practices, reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), and strengthening vascular access care across Cincinnati Children’s.

Supporting the Whole Child

We understand that vascular access procedures can be an emotional experience for children and families.

Our team looks beyond the procedure itself. We consider your child's comfort, emotional well-being and overall healthcare experience. By tailoring our approach to each child, we help reduce stress, support dignity and create a more positive experience throughout care.