Many of us learned to call the familiar short peripheral device a PIVC, peripheral IV cannula or simply an IV cannula. The NAVIGATE nomenclature uses SPC: short peripheral catheter when that precise device is meant. IV cannulation remains useful for the procedure.

Our free interactive guide lets you compare PIVC with SPC, explore the wider peripheral and central device families, and click familiar or historical names to see the preferred terminology and a short explanation.

Open the interactive PIVC → SPC language guide

This is an independent VeinTrain teaching aid informed by the GloVANet-WoCoVA NAVIGATE position statement. GloVANet and WoCoVA do not endorse VeinTrain. Follow the published statement and local clinical policy.

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