Risk factors and incidence of peripheral venous catheters-related phlebitis between 2017 and 2021: A multicentre study (Flebitis Zero Project).

BACKGROUND: The peripheral venous catheter is one of the most frequently used devices in inpatient units worldwide. The risk of complications arising from use of peripheral venous catheters is low, but phlebitis frequently develops. METHODS: A multicentre, prospective cohort study was conducted in 65 Spanish hospitals on 10,247 inpatients who had had a total of 38,430 peripheral venous catheters inserted. Data were collected for 15 consecutive days in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Central tendency and dispersion were measured, cumulative incidence and incidence density were determined and odds ratios (OR) were also calculated using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence density of phlebitis, during the period from 2017 to 2021, was 1.82 cases of phlebitis per 100 venous catheter-days. The difference between average cumulative incidence of phlebitis per year was statistically significant as determined by ANOVA test results (F = 10.51; df = 4; p < 0.000). Unequivocal risk factors for phlebitis were revealed to be hospitals with more than 500 beds (OR = 1.507; p < 0.001), patients suffering from neoplastic disease (OR = 1.234; p < 0.001) and the first 3-4 days after insertion (OR = 1.159; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A correct knowledge of insertion technique and venous catheter maintenance is likely to reduce the incidence of phlebitis and other complications, and hence continuing education of nurses is essential.

Incidencia y factores de riesgo de flebitis asociadas a catéteres venosos periféricos / Incidence and risk factors of phlebitis associated to peripheral intravenous catheters

OBJETIVO: Determinar la incidencia de flebitis y los factores de riesgo relacionados con el cuidado de los catéteres venosos periféricos (CVP). MÉTODO: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo en el Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Se incluyeron 178CVP que fueron observados diariamente hasta su retirada. La ocurrencia de flebitis fue medida con la escala visual de flebitis por infusión, que permite distinguir entre gradoI (posible flebitis) y gradoII (flebitis). También se recogió el diagnóstico de flebitis que realizó de forma independiente el personal de enfermería de las unidades. Por último, se obtuvo información sobre la inserción y el cuidado del CVP. Se calculó la incidencia de flebitis y la validez de los diagnósticos realizados en la unidad y, mediante regresión logística, se identificaron los factores de riesgo de flebitis. RESULTADOS: El 5,6% de los CVP presentaron flebitis, el 21,3% posibles flebitis y el 11,2% flebitis según el criterio del personal enfermero. La sensibilidad de los profesionales para diagnosticar flebitis fue del 100%, la especificidad, del 94%, y el valor predictivo positivo, del 50%. Después de controlar los potenciales confusores, la utilización de alargadera como accesorio del CVP incrementó el riesgo de flebitis (odds ratio: 4,8; p = 0,04) e insertar un catéter de calibre 22/24 gauges lo disminuyó (odds ratio: 0,2; p = 0,02). CONCLUSIONES: La falta de consenso sobre el diagnóstico de la flebitis dificulta su valoración por parte de los profesionales. Para minimizar la incidencia de flebitis sería aconsejable elegir el calibre de CVP más pequeño posible y evitar el uso de alargaderas como accesorio

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of phlebitis associated to the care of peripheral vascular catheters (PVC). Method: Prospective cohort study at the Central University Hospital of Asturias (Spain). A total of 178PVC were observed daily until their extraction. The incidence of phlebitis was measured using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale, that distinguishes between gradeI (possible phlebitis) andII (phlebitis). The independent diagnoses of phlebitis made by staff nurses were also collected. Finally, data about the insertion and the care of the PVC was also obtained. The incidence of phlebitis and the validity of the diagnoses made by staff nurses were calculated and the risk factors of phlebitis were determined by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: 5.6% of the PVC presented phlebitis, 21.3% possible phlebitis and 11.2% had phlebitis according to nurses' criteria. The staff nurses had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 94% and a positive predictive value of 50% in the diagnosis of phlebitis. After adjusting for potential confounders, the use of an extension tube as an accessory of the PVC was an independent predictor of phlebitis (odds ratio: 4.8; P=.04), but a PVC size of 22/24 gauges was associated with lower phlebitis incidence (odds ratio: 0.2; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical phlebitis assessment is difficult because the agreement for phlebitis diagnosis is low. To minimize the incidence of phlebitis would be recommended to choose the smallest PVC size possible and to avoid using an extension tube as an accessory of the PVC

Incidence and risk factors of phlebitis associated to peripheral intravenous catheters. / Incidencia y factores de riesgo de flebitis asociadas a catéteres venosos periféricos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of phlebitis associated to the care of peripheral vascular catheters (PVC). METHOD: Prospective cohort study at the Central University Hospital of Asturias (Spain). A total of 178PVC were observed daily until their extraction. The incidence of phlebitis was measured using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale, that distinguishes between gradei (possible phlebitis) andii (phlebitis). The independent diagnoses of phlebitis made by staff nurses were also collected. Finally, data about the insertion and the care of the PVC was also obtained. The incidence of phlebitis and the validity of the diagnoses made by staff nurses were calculated and the risk factors of phlebitis were determined by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: 5.6% of the PVC presented phlebitis, 21.3% possible phlebitis and 11.2% had phlebitis according to nurses' criteria. The staff nurses had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 94% and a positive predictive value of 50% in the diagnosis of phlebitis. After adjusting for potential confounders, the use of an extension tube as an accessory of the PVC was an independent predictor of phlebitis (odds ratio: 4.8; P=.04), but a PVC size of 22/24 gauges was associated with lower phlebitis incidence (odds ratio: 0.2; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical phlebitis assessment is difficult because the agreement for phlebitis diagnosis is low. To minimize the incidence of phlebitis would be recommended to choose the smallest PVC size possible and to avoid using an extension tube as an accessory of the PVC.