An audit of peripheral catheter care in a teaching hospital.
Post-insertion care of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) in 100 patients on general medical and surgical wards of a teaching hospital was audited. A variety of methods were used to attach the PVC to the patients' skin including 'Vecafix' dressings, bandages and adhesive tape. Sixty-eight PVC were incorrectly attached, and of these 49 (71%) were associated with two or more symptoms or signs of inflammation at the insertion site. Of those PVC that were correctly attached only five out of 32 (16%) were associated with inflammation. There was a significant association between incorrect dressing application and inflammation (P < 0 center dot 01). Similarly, there was a direct relationship between inflammation and PVCs that had been in situ for greater than 48 h (P < 0 center dot 01). The results suggest that a significant reduction in the incidence of inflammation associated with PVC use may be achieved by correct application of dressings and replacing the catheters after 48 h in situ.
Departments of Clinical Microbiology and Renal Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
R R
RR
Nelson
S E
SE
Tebbs
N
N
Richards
T S
TS
Elliott
D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control; D009731:Nursing Audit; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology*