Evaluation of the risk factors on time to phlebitis- and nonphlebitis-related failure when peripheral venous catheters were replaced as clinically indicated.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the frequency of peripheral venous catheter-related complications and the risk factors that have an impact on the time of peripheral venous catheter failure when they were replaced as clinically indicated.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, as well as the catheter specifications, were recorded. All the catheters were followed-up at 12-h intervals for the development of complications. Two different peripheral venous catheters were used in the study. The catheter dwell times were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The logrank test was utilized to investigate the catheter dwell times by univariate analyses. Variables with a significance level of less than 0.20 were taken into Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that phlebitis and nonphlebitis complications occurred more frequently within the first 96 h. No significant difference was observed in the occurrence time of phlebitis, nonphlebitis, and composite failures. The use of a locally manufactured catheter, unsuccessful first attempt, poor skin integrity, after-hours' insertion, the use of sterile gauze dressing were all associated with shorter catheter survival rates.

CONCLUSION

We observed no difference on the time to phlebitis or nonphlebitis symptoms with clinically indicated replacement of peripheral venous catheters. We found a significant difference in survival rates between locally manufactured and imported peripheral venous catheters. Our identified risk factors should be taken into account to reduce peripheral venous catheter-related complications and to increase dwell time.