A randomized trial of alcohol 70% versus alcoholic iodine 2% in skin disinfection before insertion of peripheral infusion catheters.
Skin disinfection before insertion of peripheral infusion catheters is standard practice, but a comparison in effectiveness of the two most widely used disinfectants is lacking. We compared alcohol 70% and alcoholic iodine 2% in a prospective randomized trial. Data from 109 patients on a pulmonary ward were analysed. Phlebitis occurred six times in the alcohol group and 12 times in the iodine group. This relative risk reduction of 53% failed to reach significance (P = 0.18). The power of the study, however, was only 0.55, meaning a 45% chance of missing a true difference. As countless catheters are inserted each year, a small difference in phlebitis rate could save discomfort to many patients. Thus, a larger trial seems warranted. The addition of theophylline to the prednisone infusion resulted in a significantly higher phlebitis rate: 27.3 versus 9.2% (P = 0.03).
de Vries
J H
JH
Department of Internal Medicine, Kennemer Gasthuis, Haarlem, The Netherlands.
van Dorp
W T
WT
van Barneveld
P W
PW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007455:Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol; D007455:Iodine; D013806:Theophylline; D011241:Prednisone