title: Negative outcomes of intravascular therapy in infants and children.
abstract: Intravascular therapy is essential in the care of acutely ill infants and children, but it is not without risks. The purpose of this article is to discuss potential intravascular, extravascular, and systemic complications related to peripheral and central intravascular therapy in infants and children. The formation of thrombi, infiltration, and sepsis are the most common complications. Less common complications are phlebitis, arterial spasm, catheter retention, catheter embolus, air emboli, dysrhythmias, and hemorrhage. Financial implications of long-term negative outcomes and nursing liability are discussed, and a proposed standard of preventative nursing care for intravascular therapy is presented.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles 90015, USA.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Wynsma
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology*