Aims and objectives To determine the incidence, severity and risk factors of peripheral intravenous cannula‐induced complications. Background Peripheral venous cannulation in hospitalised patients may cause complications such as phlebitis, infiltration, occlusion and dislodgement. A review of the literature reveals the discrepancy in their incidence and identification of a wide range of risk factors, whereas the data on the occurrence and degree of severity are insufficient. Design An observational prospective study. Methods The study observed 1,428 peripheral intravenous cannula insertion among 368 adult patients hospitalised at the tertiary healthcare clinics. The data collection and analysis included patients’ medical data and the data related to each cannula (including placement, monitoring and the reasons for removal), as well as the data on the type of administered medications and solutions. Reporting of this research adheres to the STROBE guidelines. Results Phlebitis ranked first among complications with occurrence of 44%, followed by infiltration of 16.3%, while the incidence of occlusion and catheter dislodgement was 7.6% and 5.6%, respectively. In assessing the occurrence of phlebitis, multivariate analysis highlighted the presence of comorbidity, current infection, catheter size, time in situ and the number of administrations of infusion solutions associated with risk, whereas 20‐gauge catheter, two or more attempts at cannulation and administration of a high‐risk solutions during the first day have been singled out with regard to infiltration. As for the severity, the most common was medium stage of phlebitis, whereas grade 2 was most commonly observed for infiltration. Conclusion The incidence of infiltration, occlusion and dislodgment is almost congruent with the average incidence of previous studies. However, the incidence and degree of severity associated with the occurrence of phlebitis were significantly higher. Relevance to clinical practice The results of the study draw attention to vulnerable groups of patients, cannula‐specific and pharmacological risk factors for the development of peripheral intravenous cannula‐induced complications.

The study provides a new tool for measuring patient satisfaction with nursing care in Serbia that may present a useful instrument for nursing care managers in improving the nursing care process.

Objectives: to assess nurses' perceptions of risk factors for the development of phlebitis, with a special focus on the perception of phlebitic potentials of some infusion medications and solutions. Method: a cross-sectional questionnaire study, which included a sample of 102 nurses. Results: Nurses recognized some factors that may reduce the incidence of phlebitis; however, more than half of the nurses were unaware that the material and diameter of the cannula can affect the incidence rate of phlebitis. Furthermore,underlying disease and high pH of medications or solutions were identified as potential risk factors, whereas low pH and low osmolality were not. Nurses identified Vancomycin and Benzylpenicillin antibiotics with the strongest phlebitic potential. Among other medications and intravenous fluids, Aminophylline, Amiodaronehydrochloride and Potassium chloride 7.4% were identified as potentially causing phlebitis. Conclusion: predisposing factors for phlebitis relating to patients and administered therapy were identified by nurses, while some cannula related risk factors, in particular its physicochemical properties and the time for cannula replacement, were not fully perceived.

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There is increasing evidence on the correlation between education, knowledge and attitudes toward older people which suggests that by acquiring better insights into all aspects of ageing through their education the students develop more positive attitudes and interest in working with older adults.