Peripheral cannula phlebitis article

February 14, 2008

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A recent article in the Journal of Infusion Nursing has examined the issue of peripheral cannula phlebitits. The authors found that average dwell time was 1.9 days and an overall phlebitis rate of 3.7% was described. No suprises with these results. However, the authors go on to describe “asymptomatic peripheral IVs may not need to be removed at regular intervals because there were healthy, asymptomatic sites had an indwell time up to 10 days” (Powell, Tarnow and Perucca 2008). These results further support the need to closely monitor peripheral cannula sites with a tool such as the VIP score.

Reference

Powell J., Tarnow K. and Perucca R. (2008) The relationship between peripheral intravenous catheter indwell time and the incidence of phlebitis. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(1), p. 39-45.