Infection and peripheral venous catheterization.

A prospective bacteriological and clinical study was carried out to determine the incidence of local and systemic infection associated with peripheral venous catheterization in a 630-bed general hospital with 24 hr intravenous team coverage. In all, 1,696 cannulas were obtained using standardized techniques and were cultured by a semiquantitative method on solid media. 41 cannulas (2.4%) yielded positive cultures (15 or more colonies). An additional 318 (18.8%) showed lesser growth indicative of contamination. No case of septicemia was encountered. Local signs of inflammation showed no correlation with positive cannula culture. The semiquantitative culture technique is easily performed and yields clear results. However, the upper limit for the number of colonies which should be regarded as contamination and criteria for phlebitis require further study. Although the infective risk of peripheral venous catheterization must not be ignored, an extremely low rate can be achieved with continuous IV team coverage and strict aseptic technique.