title: Final inline filtration: a means of decreasing the incidence of infusion phlebitis.
abstract: Infusion phlebitis is the most common complication of intravenous therapy. Six methods of reducing the incidence of infusion phlebitis including inline final filtration, buffers, heparin, hydrocortisone, heparin-hydrocortisone combinations, and frequent set changes were tested in a two part randomized prospective double-blind study of 266 surgical patients. Patients who received filtered fluids had a significantly decreased incidence of infusion phlebitis as compared with that of controls (P = 0.0000001). Of the other methods tested, only the heparin-hydrocortisone combinations achieved any significant decrease in phlebitis (P less than 0.5). Therefore, inline filtration is a highly effective means of decreasing the incidence of infusion phlebitis and should be considered as a routine part of intravenous therapy.
mesh_terms: D002021:Buffers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005374:Filtration; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006493:Heparin; D006854:Hydrocortisone