title: Complications of intravenous therapy.
abstract: A survey of 130 patients receiving intravenous therapy was undertaken. There were no instances of speticaemia over this period, despite a positive bacterial culture rate for cannulae of 48%. The incidence of phlebitis was 31%, and was associated with usual physicochemical factors. These included a cannulation time of greater than two days, an intravenous potassium supplement and antibiotics. Normal saline solutions given alone were associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis and continuous intravenous heparin administration may prolong the period of cannulation before phlebitis occurs. The institution of intravenous therapy teams should help to minimize the complications.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000009:adverse effects; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012867:Skin; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011188:Potassium