Demographic Profile, Training and Practical Experience of Professionals Performing Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to describe the demographic profile, training and practical experience of professionals who perform peripheral intravenous catheterization in Brazil. Method: this is a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out in the five macroregions of Brazil with 2,584 nursing professionals who worked in direct care of patients undergoing peripheral intravenous catheterization, using a questionnaire containing professional demographic characteristics, training and experience. Data collection took place between July 2021 and May 2022. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA test, Pearson’s chi-square test for k independent samples and Tukey’s multiple comparison test and adjusted residuals were used. Results: most nursing professionals resided in the southeast macro-region and were women. The mean age of nurses was 39.52 (±8.74) years, technicians, 39.66 (±9.22), and nursing assistants, 40.61 (±10.57). The mean training time for nurses was 11.83 (±8.18) years, for nursing technicians, 10.81 (±7.62), and for nursing assistants, 11.19 (±8.33). During the training process, most professionals received lessons in pharmacology, vascular access devices and venous catheterization. The mean number of devices inserted by nurses, in a 12-hour shift, was lower than the mean inserted by technicians and nursing assistants. Conclusion: nurses are not recognized as professionals legally responsible for the peripheral intravenous catheterization procedure, and intravenous therapy implementation is predominantly carried out by technicians and nursing assistants. The training process is incipient.