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The 2011 Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice has a standard on add-on devices that includes extension sets. You need to have access to this document, however it does not take a prescriptive approach with a laundry list of when you need to use an extension set on a peripheral IV catheter. In my opinion, I strongly believe they are always beneficial. The possible exception to this might be a short outpatient procedure. But even in these situaitons, the needleless connector must be attached directly to the catheter hub, then grasping of the connector to attach a syringe can produce movement of the catheter and vein damage. In these situations, the catheter is not needed for long dwell times but there could still be vein damage produced that leads to thrombophlebiits. In patients where you need that catheter to dwell for as long as possible, the extension set brings numerous benefits and I always recommend its use. It separates the connection end from the source of the blood; it provides a clamp for correct flushing and clamping technique; it allows for easier connection of sets and syringes for intermittent infusions without producing catheter movement and vein damage; it allows for easier conversion between continuous infusion and intermittent infusion. So it is well worth the small additional costs in my opinion. Lynn