Peripheral amiodarone-related phlebitis: an institutional nursing guideline to reduce patient harm.
Intravenous amiodarone is one of the most widely used antiarrythmics for the treatment of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Peripheral amiodarone infusion, however, often causes pain during infusion and subsequent phlebitis.Data collection on a cardiac telemetry unit revealed a high rate of phlebitis. A multidisciplinary team developed and implemented amiodarone peripheral infusion guidelines. The pre-guideline phlebitis rate was 85% and post-guideline rate was 38%, representing a 47% change or improvement. An additional finding was that the severity of phlebitis was reduced, as well. The results of this study suggest that the implementation of a peripheral amiodarone infusion guideline reduced the incidence and severity of amiodarone-related phlebitis in the cardiac population.
Kaiser Westside Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. Mary Spiering, MN, RN-BC, CNS, is a clinical nurse specialist at Kaiser Westside Medical Center. This study was completed at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, where she was a cardiology clinical nurse specialist.
Mary
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Spiering
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone