Hi Everyone,
I have been chatting to a few international colleagues about undertaking a point prevalence study looking at peripheral IVs across the globe.
The idea of this study was that on the same day across the world, peripheral IV cannulas are assessed for:
• Prevalence of Phlebitis / Infection etc (either using a phlebitis score or something similar)
• Dwell time / type of dressing used and state of dressing
• Appropriateness (i.e was a peripheral cannula the right device for infusate being delivered)
• Whether the cannula was still required (i.e still insitu but not needed)
• Anything else that people can think of...lol
I am seeking your assistance and interest in participating in this study - this has never been done before so if you are interested in participating please let me know – it would involve you donating some time and walking around your hospital on a designated day and reviewing peripheral IVC’s (probably take 2-3 hours depending on size of your hospital).
Could you please email me back if you are interested in participating and I will put you on an email distribution list so that we can get the ball rolling regarding logistics, ethics etc. Ideally it would be nice to get a couple of hospitals at least from each country J
You can also let me know if you have colleagues that may be interested or perhaps forward this message through your networks.
I would like to thank you for your time!
Kind Regards,
Evan Alexandrou RN MPH| Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery | University of Western Sydney
Building EBLG Room 44, Parramatta South Campus
P: +61 2 9685 9506 | F: +61 2 9685 9599 | M: +61 418 453 650 |E: [email protected]
Great idea! From teaching in other countries and the USA, I can support the fact that this is needed information. What would be your research question? Are you just focusing on phlebitis and not other types of PIV complications? I think there are many primary care staff nurses who can not distinquish between phlebitis and infiltration as some of the signs and symptoms are the same. Size and length of the catheter, type of safety mechanism (active or passive) if present. Exact location of the site should be included and not just right hand, left arm, etc. If areas of joint flexion are used, is a handboard also being used? What is the method for catheter stablization? What about the type of skin antiseptic agent used? There is no data or any attempt that I can find to separate between mechanical, chemical and infectious phlebitis. Do you have any way to separate these 3 causes? This is a huge issue. Some studies that the approach that it is all infectious while others approach phlebitis from the point that it is all mechanical or chemical. You would need to know what is going through the catheter to give any indication of this. All of this may be more aggressive than what you want to do, but it is information that is needed. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861