title: Prehospital peripheral venous catheters: a prospective study of patient complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate prehospital peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) in relation to the frequency of thrombophlebitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data in this prospective study were collated using three types of data source: a study-specific questionnaire, a PVC observation instrument (PVC assess), and electronic patient records. The questionnaire was distributed to ambulance crews who had inserted a PVC before bringing the patient to an emergency department at a level one trauma centre in Sweden during 10 weeks in 2008-2009. Patients admitted to hospital ward were followed-up daily by registered nurses using the PVC assess until the PVC was removed. Patient record data were collected by means of auditing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 83 patients available for follow-up, 45 (54%) developed thrombophlebitis. Quick PVC removal was performed in 32 (71%) of these patients while 13 (29%) PVCs were left in situ for 1-8 days. No association was found between the occurrence of thrombophlebitis and potential risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although thrombophlebitis frequently occurred in PVCs inserted in a prehospital setting, early removal of the device with complication was common. Further studies are warranted to identify the optimal in situ time for PVCs inserted by prehospital emergency teams.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden. katarina.goransson@karolinska.se
authors: Katarina E
authors: KE
authors: Göransson
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000552:Ambulances; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D020878:Device Removal; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers; D055815:Young Adult