Intravenous Catheter Replacement: Routine vs. Clinical

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Intravenous Catheter Replacement 1639
Peripheral intravenous catheterisation is an invasive procedure involving the insertion of a cannula into a patient’s vein to allow direct access into the venous system (Intensive Care Coordination & Monitoring Unit, 2013). It is essential that evidence based practice regarding changes and replacement of cannulas should be executed to prevent any complications such as phlebitis and sepsis (Clinical Excellence Commission, 2013).

Routine vs. Clinically Indicated Replacement
The NSW Ministry of Health Protocol of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) Insertion and Post Insertion Care in Adult Patients indicates that peripheral intravenous cannulas should not remain in situ for longer than 72 hours (Clinical Excellence Commission, 2013). Recently, there has been much discussion on whether routine replacement (72-96 hours) or clinically indicated replacement (when signs of infection, blockage, cannula tissuing etc.) yield better results. A search of electronic databases was conducted, including CINAHL, Medline/PubMed, Science Direct and BMJ was conducted using search terms drawn from natural language of the topic as well as controlled language specific to the different databases. 7 primary research articles were selected based on publication date, sample size, with a focus on research articles and study trial results.

Baker, Anderson and Macfie (2004) established conflicting results to these findings. Baker et al. (2004) executed a randomised control trial located at a single centre using 47 patients. 26 patients in the study were in the control group where catheters were only removed as clinically indicated by pain at site, dislodgement or signs of peripheral venous thrombophlebitis. In the st...

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... of the risks associated with peripheral intravenous catheters. American Journal Of Epidemiology, 118(6), 839-851.

Van Donk, P., Rickard, C., McGrail, M., & Doolan, G. (2009). Routine replacement versus clinical monitoring of peripheral intravenous catheters in a regional hospital in the home program: A randomized control trial. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 30(9), 915-917

Webster, J., Clarke, S., Paterson, D., Hutton, A., van Dyk, S., Gale, C., & Hopkins, T. (2008). Routine care of peripheral intravenous catheters versus clinically indicated replacement: randomized control trial. BMJ, 337:a339 doi: 10.1136/bmj.a339

Webster, J., Osborne, S., Rickard, C., & New, K. (2013). Clinically-indicated replacement versus routine replacement of peripheral venous catheters (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(4), 1-40. doi: 10.1002/14651858

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