Risk Factors for Phlebitis in Patients with Peripheral Intravenous Catheters

Abstract

Introduction: The study investigated the risk factors of phlebitis associated with infusion by peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC).
 
 Methodology: Hospitalized adults (n = 506) were placed with PIVCs by trained nurses. Rates of phlebitis were noted according to PIVC gauge, insertion site, and dwell time; and type and volume of infusion solution.
 
 Results: The development of phlebitis appeared to be significantly associated with the size of the outer diameter of the PIVC. The rate of phlebitis among patients given a hypertonic infusion solution was significantly higher; and also associated with infusion volume. There was no difference in phlebitis development among insertion sites, and dwell times among these sites were comparable.
 
 Conclusion: The risk of phlebitis increased with the PIVC size and volume of infusion solution, and use of a hypertonic solution. The recognition of risk factors and standardized intervention may reduce the occurrence of phlebitis associated with PIVC use.

Incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter phlebitis and its associated factors among patients admitted to University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a prospective, observational study

“…Peripheral vein catheters are required for administration of intravenous drugs, infusate solutions, blood products and parenteral feeding. It is as well necessary for access to vascular procedures [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Despite PIVC benefits, its use is not without potential complications such as phlebitis, infiltration, extravasation, occlusion and dislodgment [3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][14][15][16].…”

“…Presence and severity of phlebitis is evaluated by Jackson's Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scoring System [17]. Adverse outcomes of Phlebitis embrace patient discomfort, longer hospital stay and higher health care cost [6,[9][10][11][12][13]. Factors contributing to occurrence of phlebitis include mechanical, chemical, biological, patient, and health practice-related factors [7-13, 15, 16].…”

“…It is as well necessary for access to vascular procedures [ 1 – 13 ]. Despite PIVC benefits, its use is not without potential complications such as phlebitis, infiltration, extravasation, occlusion and dislodgment [ 3 , 5 – 10 , 14 – 16 ]. Peripheral vein phlebitis occurred in 13–56% of hospitalized patients [ 7 – 10 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Despite PIVC benefits, its use is not without potential complications such as phlebitis, infiltration, extravasation, occlusion and dislodgment [ 3 , 5 – 10 , 14 – 16 ]. Peripheral vein phlebitis occurred in 13–56% of hospitalized patients [ 7 – 10 , 15 , 16 ]. Phlebitis is clinically manifested by pain, erythema, swelling, palpable venous cord, and pussy discharge at catheter site [ 4 – 8 , 10 , 11 , 15 – 17 ].…”

“…Peripheral vein phlebitis occurred in 13–56% of hospitalized patients [ 7 – 10 , 15 , 16 ]. Phlebitis is clinically manifested by pain, erythema, swelling, palpable venous cord, and pussy discharge at catheter site [ 4 – 8 , 10 , 11 , 15 – 17 ]. Cannula-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) is recognized complication of phlebitis.…”