A study of the rates of infection and phlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous therapy at the Royal Hobart Hospital

Abstract

Intravenous therapy is an essential and extensively utilised medical treatment and, like all invasive procedures, is associated with serious complications. Two of the more common are that of infection and phlebitis, both of which are under appreciated in importance and, at present, inconsistently defined. This exploratory descriptive study proposed to identify the rate of infection and phlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous (PIV) therapy at the Royal Hobart Hospital, and uncover factors that may be associated with a higher incidence of each. More importantly, it was designed to contribute to a better knowledge of PIV therapy, and stimulate further analytical research in this essential, but often neglected, subject. The study investigated 275 PIV cannulae. Almost one third (n = 94) of those were cultured, with 33% (n = 31) positive for bacterial growth, most predominantly coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS). The findings did not produce evidence to support a connection between the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of phlebitis and catheter colonisation. However, the study revealed a high incidence of colonisation in cannulae inserted by ambulance personnel, a lower incidence of colonisation in PIV cannulae routinely resited, and a higher rate of colonisation in cannulae insitu longer than 4 days.