IV Cannulation & Administration Sets (2025)

A practical buyer’s guide for Australian clinics, day surgery & urgent care

Getting your IV bay right is about more than just fluids. This guide covers cannulas, administration sets, extensions, needleless connectors, skin prep and securement—plus a simple stocking plan—so your team stays ready and compliant. Use it to standardise rooms and train new staff. (Education for procurement only—follow your prescriber and local policy.)

1) IV cannulas: sizes, colour codes & selection

Stock a full size run so clinicians can match gauge to vein, therapy and flow requirements. Below is a common colour code reference (check your brand’s chart and local policy). Larger cannula numbers indicate smaller diameters.

Gauge	Common Colour	Typical Use (Examples)	Notes
14G	Orange	High-flow resuscitation/trauma (policy dependent)	Large bore; high flow; needs suitable vein
16G	Grey	High-flow resuscitation/trauma (policy dependent)	Large bore; suitable for rapid infusion
18G	Green	High-flow infusions/blood (as directed)	Large bore; suitable for rapid infusion
20G	Pink	Routine IV therapy; medications	Common default in adults
22G	Blue	Fragile veins; elderly; some paediatrics	Lower flow; gentler insertion
24G	Yellow	Paediatrics/neonates (per policy)	Slow flow; short-term use
26G	Purple	Neonates/micro veins (specialist)	Very small bore; specialist settings

 

Tip: pair cannulas with matching securement and transparent dressings. Keep tourniquets, skin‑prep and gauze co‑located to reduce missteps.

2) Administration sets: gravity, drip chamber & burette basics

Most clinics run gravity sets for routine infusions. Choose macro‑drip vs micro‑drip based on the setting and policy, and keep extension lines for patient movement and pump reach. Burette sets help with fine volume control in paediatrics and certain protocols.

Set type	Typical feature	When it’s useful
Macro‑drip gravity set	~20 drops/mL (brand dependent)	General adult infusions
Macro‑drip gravity set	~60 drops/mL	Fine control; paeds; slow rates
Burette set	Graduated chamber (e.g., 100–150 mL)	Controlled small volumes; paediatrics
Extensions & needleless connectors	Y‑sites; swabable ports; passive valves	Line access flexibility; closed‑system handling

 

Needleless connectors and 3‑way stopcocks should be compatible with your closed‑system policy. Train staff on scrub‑the‑hub contact times and replacement intervals per guideline.

3) Skin prep at insertion

Keep a standard product across rooms to simplify training. Common options include 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol (CHG/IPA) or povidone‑iodine products. Follow your local policy for agent choice and contact time. Stock individual swabs/applicators for point‑of‑use convenience.

4) IV site dressings & securement

Use transparent film dressings so the site remains visible. Add a stabilisation device or bordered foam for patients with high line movement. Label dressings with date/time and keep replacement schedules consistent across rooms.

5) Saline flushes & line care

Prefilled 0.9% sodium chloride flush syringes save time and help standardise volumes, but availability varies by facility. Where not used, stock sterile saline ampoules with appropriate syringes. Store within stated temperatures and check expiries monthly.

6) Sharps & clinical waste at the IV bay

Mount sharps containers at elbow height with the opening facing the user, keep clinical‑waste bags within reach, and never overfill. Close lids before moving and follow your contractor’s manifest process.

7) Simple stocking plan (two‑week par)

Start small and scale with data. For each cannula gauge, admin set type, extension, dressing and skin‑prep, set a two‑week par (average daily use × 14) and reorder at half the par. Standardise brands and rotate FIFO to reduce wastage.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need both macro and micro‑drip sets?
   Stock macro‑drip for most adult use and keep a smaller quantity of micro‑drip or burette sets for fine control, per your policy.
   
   
2. Which cannula size should we order the most?
   Usage patterns differ by service mix, but many clinics move the most 20G and 18G. Check your last 4–6 weeks of data before adjusting par levels.
   
   
3. How can we cut line‑care costs without compromising safety?
   Standardise brands, buy by the carton for core sizes, set clear reorder points and place related items together (cannulas + securement + skin prep) to reduce errors.
   
   

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