Clinically indicated and routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters did not differ for catheter failure
J Webster
Ms J Webster, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia; joan_webster@health.qld.gov.au
QUESTION
In hospital inpatients, is clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters better than routine replacement for catheter failure due to phlebitis or infiltration?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Allocation:
concealed.
Blinding:
{unblinded}.*
Follow-up period:
up to 5 consecutive catheters for each patient.
Setting:
general tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia.
Patients:
755 medical and surgical inpatients ⩾18 years of age (mean age 59 y, 64% men) who were expected to have a peripheral venous catheter for ⩾4 days. Exclusion criteria were bacteraemia or current immunosuppressive therapy.
Intervention:
379 patients were allocated to catheter replacement only when clinically indicated and 376 to routine catheter replacement every 3 …
