Approximately 150 million peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters are inserted annually in the United States, with a 5% incidence rate of phlebitis as an acceptable benchmark. In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that PIV sites and administration sets be changed at least every 96 hours, yet clinical practice supported that at least 25% of PIV catheters showed no signs of phlebitis at 96 hours' dwell time. This study reports the assessment results of 850 PIV catheters over the indwelling life of the catheter, using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis scale as the measure determining when a PIV should be removed.

The flexibility and broad scope of this role allows for its use in any practice setting to realize gains in quality outcomes, cost savings, improved patient flow, increased safety, nurse satisfaction and increasing organizational capacity.