Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2003 Dec;8(2):95-102.

Epidemiologic Study of Phlebitis Associated with Short-term Intravenous Catheter: Focused on 6 hospital on Seoul or Gyonggo-do, Korea

• Choi JS
• Park ES
• Jin HY
• Jung SY
• Park MR
• Kim JE
• Kim KS

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to obtain epidemiologic data and overall risk of complications of short term peripheral intravenous catheters.
METHODS
The data was collected prospectively from August 19 to september 13, 2002. The subjects of this study were 350 adult patients hospitalized to the internal medicine a surgical general ward. Catheter sites were inspected daily from insertion to removal by infection control nurses, and characteristics of patients and catheters were recorded. Phlebitis was defined as one of the followings along the course of the vein: erythema, warmth. swelling or tenderness.
RESULTS
Overall incidence of the phlebitis associated with short-term catheter was 23.7%. Catheters were removed when routine catheter replacement (every 72 hours) was occurred in 24.9%, phlebitis 23.7%. discharge of patients 13.1%, change of heparin cap 9.7%, others 28.6%. There were no significant differences in the incidence of the phlebitis by sex, age, the type of dressing, the duration of catheter placement insertion site, the type of hospitalized ward' and the size of cannula. The incidence of phlebitis was the highest (36.1%) within 48-72 hours after insertion. There was significant difference in the incidence of phlebitis according to the types of infusate. 75 of 83 phlebitis cases (90.4%) were received chemical infusates. Especially glucose/aminoacid, TPN and intralipose were attributed to major risk factor of phlebitis associated with short-term catheter (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The incidence rate of phlebitis associated with short-term catheter was 23.7%. In this study, the type of infusate was the significant risk. factor related to phlebitis. Consequently, in order to prevent and detect the phlebitis associated with short-term catheter early, a consistent, organized assessment and evaluation of the above factors during the intravenous therapy is needed.

Keyword

Phlebitis; Short-term intravenous catheter; Infection

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bandages
Catheters*
Epidemiologic Studies*
Erythema
Heparin
Humans
Incidence
Infection Control
Internal Medicine
Korea*
Patients' Rooms
Phlebitis*
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Seoul*
Veins
Heparin