An epidemiologic study of the risks associated with peripheral intravenous catheters

As part of a standardized, multi-hospital prospective surveillance system for nosocomial infections in Rhode Island, an analysis was undertaken in March 1980-February 1982 to determine the interplay of factors that contribute to the risk of phlebitis in peripheral, non-steel, non-butterfly intraveno...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of epidemiology Vol. 118; no. 6; p. 839
Main Authors Tager, I B, Ginsberg, M B, Ellis, S E, Walsh, N E, Dupont, I, Simchen, E, Faich, G A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.1983
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Catheterization - adverse effects
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Cross Infection - etiology
Epidemiologic Methods
Female
Humans
Infusions, Parenteral - instrumentation
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Rhode Island
Risk
Sepsis - epidemiology
Sepsis - etiology
Statistics as Topic
Thrombophlebitis - epidemiology
Thrombophlebitis - etiology
Time Factors
Rhode Island
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Summary:As part of a standardized, multi-hospital prospective surveillance system for nosocomial infections in Rhode Island, an analysis was undertaken in March 1980-February 1982 to determine the interplay of factors that contribute to the risk of phlebitis in peripheral, non-steel, non-butterfly intravenous catheters. The authors studied 3094 patients with 5161 total episodes of peripheral intravenous catheters from day of admission until day of discharge. The overall rate of phlebitis was 2.3% (118 episodes), and the rate of intravenous catheter-associated bacteremia was 0.08% (1 definite episode, 3 possible episodes). Factors significantly associated with the occurrence of phlebitis were: underlying risk for any nosocomial infection, duration of the catheter episode, chronological order of the episode and an interaction between the latter two variables. Analysis of day-specific risk of phlebitis indicated that, for patients with low risk diagnoses, initial peripheral intravenous catheters might be left in place with relative safety for up to 96 hours. Over this time period, the day-specific risk for such patients ranged between 0.8% and 1.4%, exclusive of the first day. In all other circumstances, the current recommendation of 48-72 hours seems appropriate.
ISSN:0002-9262
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113702