Postinfusion phlebitis associated with a syringe system versus minibags.
The incidence of postinfusion phlebitis was compared in patients receiving i.v. drugs in 50- and 100-mL minibags of 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection versus 20- and 50-mL quantities of sterile water for injection or 0.45% sodium chloride injection in plastic syringes used with a venting administration set. Patients 16-75 years of age receiving one or more i.v. drugs and a concurrent maintenance i.v. fluid through a Teflon catheter in a peripheral vein were included. Patients receiving antineoplastic drugs, drugs that require a minimum diluent volume greater than 50 mL, or i.v. heparin sodium in doses of greater than or equal to 500 units/hr were excluded. For the syringe system, the type and amount of diluent were selected to achieve a solution osmolarity of approximately 300 mOsm/L. Patients' i.v. sites were examined every eight hours for 72 hours, and phlebitis was assessed according to predetermined criteria. There were 47 patients in the minibag group and 46 in the syringe group. There were no significant differences between the groups in demographic characteristics, catheter size, duration of infusion, number of doses, number or type of i.v. drugs, or incidence or severity of phlebitis. Administration of i.v. drugs with controlled solution osmolarity via this syringe infusion system was not associated with an incidence of postinfusion phlebitis different from that for i.v. drugs diluted in minibags.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013594:Syringes