Factors affecting the patency and complications of peripheral intravenous catheters in newborns.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral intravenous catheters (PICs) are necessary for medication, nutrient, and fluid administration in pediatric patients. However, PICs are uneasy to access and maintain in young infants. This study identified risk factors affecting the complications and patency of PICs. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included neonates and infants aged <4 months. All PICs inserted in the neonatal intensive care unit and intermediate care nursery were analyzed more than 5 months. The variables included gestational age, age and body weight at PIC insertion, insertion site, methods to maintain PIC patency (continuous intravenous drip [CIVD] versus intermittent flushing), fluid infusion rate and osmolarity, and ampicillin and cefotaxime concentrations. The effects of these variables on PIC complications and lifespan were assessed using binary logistic regression analysis and a general linear model, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 315 PICs were analyzed. The mean indwelling time was 33.8 ± 21.5 h and complication rate was 82.2%. The most frequent complications were infiltration (55.9%) and leakage (22.2%). The infusion rate and method to maintain PICs significantly impacted PIC patency. A negative correlation was noted between the infusion rate and PIC patency, with the patency decreasing by 0.9 h (p = 0.047) on increasing the infusion rate by 1 mL/h. Notably, compared with intermittent flushing, CIVD using a hypertonic solution significantly decreased PIC patency by 14 h (p = 0.006). As the patients' age increased by a month, the complication risk decreased by 35% (p = 0.027). However, as the infusion rate increased by 1 mL/h, the complication risk increased by 17% (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent flushing may be preferred over CIVD to preserve PIC patency. An increased infusion rate is correlated with decreased PIC patency and increased complications. For the peripheral administration of ampicillin, we recommended preparing final concentrations below 50 mg/dL to prevent PIC complications.

Sliding-scale insulin used for blood glucose control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Sliding-scale insulin has been widely used in treating inpatient hyperglycemia. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and possible adverse effects of sliding-scale insulin in hospitalized patients. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched for studies published up to May 2015. Individual effect sizes were standardized, and a meta-analysis was performed to calculate a pooled effect size using random effects models. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs containing a total of 1322 patients were identified. Among eight studies in which the RISS was compared with other regimens, no significant difference was observed in the percentage of patients who achieved the mean blood glucose level between the two groups, which was determined according to the numbers of blood samples (RR: 2.84; 95% CI: 0.94 to 8.59) and patients (RR: 1.75; 95% CI: 0.86 to 3.55). The mean blood glucose level (weighted mean difference=27.33, 95% CI: 14.74 to 39.92) and incidence of hyperglycemic events were significantly higher in the RISS group than in the non-sliding-scale group. No significant difference in the incidence of severe hypoglycemia and length of hospitalization between the groups was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results of the meta-analysis indicated that applying the RISS alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medications did not provide any benefits in blood glucose control, but was accompanied by an increased incidence of hyperglycemic events. Therefore, we suggest that the use of sliding-scale insulin be discontinued in hospitals.