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"There seems to be a certain proportion of catheters cannulated unnecessarily in Ambulatory Emergency Care, which would justify the implementation of good practice programmes in the assessment and selection of vascular accesses" Ballesteros-Peña et al (2022).

Unnecessary peripheral IV catheters

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of unnecessary peripheral venous catheter (PVC) cannulation in adult patients attended in Ambulatory Emergency Care, and to analyse potential associated factors. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital for two consecutive months. The proportion of canulated and unused PVC was calculated and related to patient variables. A PVC was cannulated in 701 patients. In 103 cases (14.7%; 95%CI: 12.1-17.3) the catheter was not used, and the patients were discharged directly home. Age over 64 was associated with a higher proportion of unsuitability (19.3% vs. 10.8%; p=0.002). There seems to be a certain proportion of catheters cannulated unnecessarily in Ambulatory Emergency Care, which would justify the implementation of good practice programmes in the assessment and selection of vascular accesses.


Reference:

Ballesteros-Peña S, Unanue-Arza S, Juaristi MN. [Unnecessary peripheral venous catheters in ambulatory emergency care]. An Sist Sanit Navar. 2022 Jun 29;45(2):e0998. Spanish. doi: 10.23938/ASSN.0998. PMID: 35781469.