Evaluation of unmodifiable and potentially modifiable factors affecting peripheral intravenous device-related complications in neonates: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Infants in neonatal units benefit from dependable peripheral intravenous access. However, peripheral intravenous access exposes infants to high rates of clinically minor and serious complications. Despite this, little is known about the interplay of risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and evaluate the interactions of risk factors on the occurrence of peripheral intravenous complications in a neonatal population. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. SETTING: The study was performed on the neonatal intensive care unit of the Women's Wellness and Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, as a single-site study. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 12 978 neonates who required intravenous therapy. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome was the occurrence of any peripheral intravenous cannulation failure, leading to unplanned removal of the device before completion of the intended intravenous therapy. RESULTS: A mean dwell time of 36±28 hours was recorded in participants with no complications, whereas the mean dwell time was 31±23 hours in participants with an indication for premature removal of the peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) (p<0.001, t=11.35). Unplanned removal occurred in 59% of cases; the overall complication rate was 18 per 1000 catheter days. Unmodifiable factors affecting PIVC dwell time include lower birth (HR=0.23, 0.20 to 0.28, p<0.001) and current body weight (HR=1.06, 1.03 to 1.10, p=0.018). Cannulation site (HR=1.23, 1.16 to 1.30, p<0.001), the inserted device (HR=0.89, 0.84 to 0.94, p<0.001) and the indication for intravenous treatment (HR=0.76, 0.73 to 0.79, p<0.001) were modifiable factors. CONCLUSION: Most infants experienced a vascular access-related complication. Given the high complication rate, PIVCs should be used judiciously and thought given prior to their use as to whether alternate means of intravenous access might be more appropriate.

Comparison of ultrasound guidance with palpation and direct visualisation for peripheral vein cannulation in adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral vein cannulation is a routine and straightforward invasive procedure, although i.v. access can be difficult to obtain. To increase the success rate of inserting an i.v. catheter, many devices have been proposed, including ultrasonography. The objective of this study was to compare ultrasound guidance with the traditional approach of palpation and direct visualisation for peripehral vein cannulation. The primary outcome was successful peripheral i.v. cannulation. METHODS: Database search was performed on PubMed, Clinical Key, CINAHL, Cochrane Library of Clinical Trials, and Trip Database (from January 2000 to December 2017). Random-effect meta-analysis was performed to determine the pooled odds ratio for success in peripheral i.v. cannulation. RESULTS: After database review and eligibility screening, eight studies were included in the final analysis, with a total of 1660 patients. The success rate in the ultrasound group was 81% (n=855), and was 70% (n=805) in the control group, resulting in a pooled odds ratio for success upon ultrasound-guided peripheral i.v. cannulation of 2.49 (95% confidence interval 1.37-4.52, P=0.003). Furthermore, the ultrasound-guided technique reduced the number of punctures and time needed to achieve i.v. access, and increased the level of patient satisfaction, although it did not result in a decreased number of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance increases the success rate of peripheral i.v. cannulation, especially in patients with known or predicted difficult i.v. access.