Analysis of factors affecting pain in intravenous catheter placement: a survey of 925 patients

• Published in: International journal of clinical practice (Esher) Vol. 59; no. 6; pp. 675 - 679
• Main Authors: Soysal, S., Topacoglu, H., Karcioglu, O., Serinken, M., Koyuncu, N., Sarikaya, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK; Malden, USA Blackwell Science Ltd 01.06.2005; Blackwell; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anesthesia; Biological and medical sciences; Catheterization, Peripheral - adverse effects; Catheterization, Peripheral - psychology; Catheters; Clinical trials; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Female; General aspects; Humans; Intravenous catheter placement; Male; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Middle Aged; pain; Pain - psychology; Pain management; Pain Measurement; visual analogue scale; Human; Medicine; visual analogue scale; Survey; Factor analysis; Pain; Intravenous administration; Surveillance; Evaluation scale; Catheter; Patient; Intravenous catheter placement
• ISSN: 1368-5031; 1742-1241
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2005.00427.x

Summary The aim of the study was to determine some factors affecting pain during intravenous (i.v.) catheter placement in an emergency department (ED). A cross‐sectional, observational study was conducted at an academic ED. Nine hundred and twenty five adult patients who had a 20 gauge i.v. catheter placed were enrolled the study. Patients were excluded for the following conditions: more than one i.v. attempt, altered mental status, head trauma, lack of contact due to visual impairment, hearing or speech disorder, intoxication, distracting injury or physical abnormality at the i.v. site. The magnitude of pain of i.v. catheter placement was not related to age, sex, experience of the individual placing the i.v. catheter, site of i.v. catheter insertion and use of analgesic or antidepressive drugs (p > 0.05). Patients with a history of depression reported significantly higher pain than non‐depressive patients (p = 0.001). Depressive patients reported higher severity of pain during i.v. catheter placement than nondepressed ones. This may influence the decision on whether or not to use local anaesthesia for catheter insertion.