Variable | 3-Day Routine Change Group (n = 323), n (%) | Clinically Indicated Change Group (n = 280), n (%) |
---|---|---|
IV cannula gauge | Â | Â |
   • 22 | 43 (13%) | 46 (16%) |
   • 20 | 241 (75%) | 201 (72%) |
   • 18 | 27 (12%) | 30 (11%) |
   • Other | 2 (1%) | 3 (1%) |
Vein assessment | Â | Â |
   • Good | 143 (44.3%) | 107 (38.2%) |
   • Fair | 160 (49.5%) | 144 (51.4%) |
   • Poor | 20 (6.2%) | 29 (10.4%) |
Skin integrity | Â | Â |
   • Good | 138 (43%) | 104 (37%) |
   • Fair | 178 (55%) | 164 (59%) |
   • Poor | 7 (2%) | 12 (4%) |
Past history of phlebitis | 2 (0.6%) | 4 (1.4%) |
Insertion site | Â | Â |
   • Hand | 206 (64%) | 187 (67%) |
   • Forearm | 59 (18%) | 49 (18%) |
   • Cubital fossa | 51 (16%) | 38 (14%) |
   • Other | 7 (2%) | 6 (2%) |
Receiving infusate | 241 (75%) | 215 (77%) |
pH of infusate - Mean (SD) | 6.0 (0.5) | 6.0 (0.4) |
Receiving oral antibiotics | 24 (7%) | 24 (9%) |
Receiving IV antibiotics | 236 (73%) | 176 (63%) |
pH of IV antibiotics - Mean (SD) | 6.9 (1.1) | 6.9 (1.3) |
Receiving other IV meds | 190 (59%) | 179 (64%) |
pH of other IV meds - Mean (SD) | 5.6 (2.6) | 6.0 (2.8) |
Wound drain | 50 (16%) | 40 (14%) |
Urinary catheter | 55 (17%) | 41 (15%) |
Other vascular device | 26 (8%) | 24 (9%) |
Inserted by | Â | Â |
   • Junior doctor | 232 (72%) | 207 (74%) |
   • Registered Nurse | 67 (21%) | 57 (20%) |
   • Senior doctor | 24 (7%) | 16 (6%) |
Where inserted | Â | Â |
   • Ward | 216 (67%) | 188 (67%) |
   • Emergency department | 74 (23%) | 70 (25%) |
   • Other | 33 (10%) | 22 (8%) |
Current infection (site) | Â | Â |
   • Respiratory | 97 (30%) | 49 (18%) |
   • Urinary | 24 (7%) | 19 (7%) |
   • Wound | 16 (5%) | 15 (5%) |
   • Other | 29 (9%) | 37 (13%) |
   • >1 site | 5 (2%) | 4 (1%) |
   N/A (none) | 152 (47%) | 156 (56%) |
Risk of phlebitis (Tagar scale) | Â | Â |
   • Low | 174 (54%) | 144 (51%) |
   • Medium | 149 (46%) | 136 (49%) |
   • High | 0 | 0 |