In this study, we found that many PIVCs were placed in areas of flexion, were symptomatic or idle, had suboptimal dressings, or lacked adequate documentation. This suggests inconsistency between recommended management guidelines for PIVCs and current practice.

Over a billion peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are inserted each year in hospitalized patients worldwide. However, international data on prevalence and management of these devices are lacking. The study assessed the prevalence of PIVCs and their management practices across different regions of the world. This global audit involved 14 hospitals across 13 countries, with 479 patients screened for the presence of a PIVC. We found 59% of patients had at least 1 PIVC in place, and 16% had other types of vascular devices. We also found that overall, 25% of patients had no vascular device in place. The majority of PIVCs were inserted by nursing staff or a specialist team. The prevalence of idle PIVCs in place with no fluid or medication orders was 16%, and 12% of PIVCs had at least 1 symptom of phlebitis. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:530–533. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine

Clinicians, researchers and health decision-makers should consider these findings and limitations when implementing screening tools, research or policy on sepsis recognition in general hospitalized patients.

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This study will help guide nursing leaders and policy makers to address the needs of critical care nurses and their patients. Collaborative approaches between the specialty, nursing leaders and health policy advisors will assist to inform appropriate change in areas recommended for further action.

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Workforce and education issues remain dominant themes among critical care nurses of the world. These issues have changed very little in the last 6 years. Using the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses network of regional CCNOs and critical care nursing leaders has proven to be a successful strategy for the collection of data on world issues and for international communication and support.

Aim:The study aim was to profile the issues and activities of critical care nurses and professional critical care nursing organizations (CCNOs), and to identify expectations of the role of the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. This information will determine how the critical care nursing specialty is changing over time and assist to formulate strategies that provide ongoing support to critical care nursing internationally. Background: This study is the third worldwide review of CCNOs. Two previous surveys were undertaken in 1999-2000 and in 2005. Data were collected from 23 and 51 countries, respectively. Methods: An online descriptive survey was e-mailed to 97 countries with CCNOs or known nursing leaders. Responses were analysed descriptively by geographical region. Results: Sixty-five respondents completed the questionnaire, achieving a 67% return rate. The most common issues identified were teamwork, access to educational programmes, formal practice guidelines/competencies, staffing levels and working conditions. Respondents perceived professional representation, national conferences, practice standards/guidelines, educational course standards, website provision, skills courses and educational workshops as the most important activities that should be provided by national CCNOs. Furthermore, less affluent countries showed greater emphasis on educational and training needs compared with wealthier counties and had poorer access to Internet and other supportive infrastructure. Conclusions: Teamwork, education, development of practice guidelines and workforce remain important issues to critical care nurses and have changed very little over the last 10 years, although the emphasis on teamwork is stronger than a decade ago. Differences in emphasis occur between affluent and less affluent 73 countries and need to be acknowledged. Future research is recommended to better understand those priorities to enable the global community of critical care nurses to respond constructively.