Effectiveness of transparent film dressing for peripheral intravenous catheter.

BACKGROUND: The intravenous applications are the most common type of such interventions. It is underlined that in cases where the peripheral intravenous catheter is not properly secured in place, even a minor movement inside the vein would result in injury of vein. OBJECTIVE: The insertion of peripheral intravenous catheter is a common practice. This is a randomized controlled prospective study aiming at investigating the effectiveness of use of transparent film dressing for peripheral intravenous catheter. METHODS: The universe of this study included inpatients in the Internal Diseases clinic of a University Hospital, and the sample included a total of 110 peripheral intravenous catheters that were calculated by power analysis. The patient identification form, the peripheral venous catheter and treatment information form, and the visual infusion phlebitis identification scale were used to collect data. The forms were completed by the investigators on the basis of daily observations. The data were assessed by the percentage, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis via the software SPSS 20.00. RESULTS: The individuals in the study group and the control group included in the sample are comparable in terms of gender, having/not having a chronic disease, the site of peripheral intravenous catheter, use of antibiotics, intravenous fluid therapy, and mean age. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. There was a significant relationship between the dwell time for the catheter and development of any complications and the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of transparent film dressing for insertion of peripheral intravenous catheter can be recommended as it increases the dwell time for the catheter and reduces incidence of complications.