Assessment, Treatment, and Follow-Up of Phlebitis Related to Peripheral Venous Catheterisation: A Delphi Study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Phlebitis related to peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) is a common complication in patients who require these devices and can have important consequences for the patients and the healthcare system. The management and control of the PVC-associated complications is related to nursing competency. The present study aims to determine, at the national level in Spain, the consensus on the assessment, treatment, and follow-up of PVC-related phlebitis and the importance of the actions taken. METHOD: A three-round Delphi technique was used with clinical care nurses who are experts in the field of in-hospital intravenous treatment in Spain. For this, an online questionnaire was developed with three open-ended questions on the dimensions of phlebitis assessment, treatment, and follow-up. For the statistical analysis of the results, frequencies and percentages were used to determine consensus, and the measures of central tendency (mean, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation) were used to rank importance. The coefficient of variation was set as acceptable at ≤30%. RESULTS: The final sample was 27 expert nurses. At the conclusion of round 3, actions were ranked according to their importance, with six items included in the PVC-related phlebitis assessment (symptomatology/observation, redness, the Maddox scale, induration, temperature, and pain), two in treatment (catheter removal, pentosan polysulphate sodium ointment + application of cold), and just one in follow-up (general monitoring + temperature control). CONCLUSIONS: There is a major disparity in relation to the PVC-related phlebitis assessment, treatment, and follow-up actions. More clinical studies are therefore needed to minimise the complications associated with the use of PVCs, given their impact on the quality of care and patient safety and their economic cost.

Evolution of Scientific Production on Phlebitis Secondary to Vascular Access: A 71-Year Bibliometric Analysis.

Phlebitis secondary to vascular access is one of the most frequent complications in hospital care. This study aims to evaluate the scientific activity related to this complication through a bibliometric analysis. The search was performed on a single day, 23 January 2023, to ensure the inclusion of all articles and to avoid bias caused by the daily updates of the open access database. The data were recovered from Web of Science. The sample comprised a total of 1596 publications that met the inclusion criteria. The United States was the country with the largest number of publications, citations, and international cooperation with respect to phlebitis and vascular access. The most important author was Rickard CM. Of all the publications selected, a total of 1586 (99.37%) were original articles. The highest number of articles on the subject was recorded in 2021, and the most common research areas were General Internal Medicine and Nursing. The analysis of the clusters (KeyWords Plus and Author keywords) and co-occurrences enabled identification of areas of interest and their possible development. These areas included the prevention, risk, and associated complications of catheter-associated phlebitis. Other aspects that are a priori relevant, such as assessment and treatment, were found to be little investigated. While research on this subject is increasing internationally, more collaborations are still required between researchers, as well as new approaches related to the management of catheter-associated phlebitis. The dimensions that should continue to be considered in new research, according to the findings of this review, are instruments for phlebitis assessment and their validation, and the treatments to follow in the case of established phlebitis. For this reason, the bibliometric information presented is key for new or consolidated researchers in the field, especially because of its practical and clinical implications for patient safety.

Peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis: A meta-analysis of topical treatment.

AIM: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of different topical treatments for PVC-related phlebitis in hospital in-patients. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A selection was made of experimental and quasi-experimental studies published in English or Spanish. These should provide data on the degree of phlebitis, pain and infiltration (means and standard deviations, mainly) of hospitalized patients with phlebitis secondary to peripheral venous catheter. All those studies that reflected systemic or exclusive prevention treatments were excluded. Searches were from inception to April 2020. The date of data collection was from December 2020 to May 2021. The selection criteria were based on the PICOS model. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. RESULTS: Twelve studies (726 patients) met the inclusion criteria. With respect to the decrease in the degree of phlebitis, was found ichthammol glycerine, followed by heparinoids. As for degree of pain, sesame oil obtained the most marked reduction. In terms of degree of infiltration, heparinoids and ichthammol glycerine were the only products to achieve a statistically significant reduction. The most important limitations are the low quantity and quality of the trials included. Insufficient data are available to draw valid conclusions about the efficacy of any treatment.

Translation, Adaptation, and Psychometric Validation of the Spanish Version of the Attitudes towards Research and Development within Nursing Questionnaire.

The promotion of research competence is essential for the development of the nursing profession and discipline. The aim of this study was to translate into Spanish, adapt, and validate an instrument measuring nurses' attitudes towards nursing research and development. A quantitative, cross-sectional, analytical design was used for the cross-cultural adaptation and cultural validation of the instrument. A total of 367 participants were selected using intentional sampling. A process of translation, back-translation, expert consultation, and pilot testing was followed. Subsequently, reliability and statistical validity were assessed, a new factor structure was proposed, and means were compared to assess the power to discriminate between factors by groups of participants. The results showed internal consistency tests with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.913. Confirmatory factor analysis of the comparative fit index (CFI = 0.549) and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI = 0.491) indicate that the factors did not match the original clustering model. The new factor structure consisted of seven factors. Between-group comparisons revealed statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the instrument exhibits high levels of statistical reliability and validity compared to the original instrument. The new factorial proposal is consistent, but further research is needed to verify its replicability in other contexts.

Un instrumento de evaluación del aprendizaje para el manejo de catéteres venosos periféricos: adaptación, extensión y validación en español / A learning assessment instrument for the management of peripheral venous catheters: adaptation, extension and validation in Spanish

La práctica de enfermería debe basarse en la práctica basada en la evidencia disponible debido a su impacto en la atención segura del paciente. Su uso no solo debe fomentarse en los profesionales, sino que debe iniciarse en la formación en enfermería. El objetivo de este estudio se basa en traducir, adaptar y validar un instrumento de evaluación del conocimiento basado en la evidencia científica disponible en relación al manejo de los catéteres venosos periféricos. Se siguió un proceso en dos etapas: 1) traducción, adaptación y ampliación del instrumento; y 2) pruebas psicométricas. El estudio incluyó 675 estudiantes de enfermería. El coeficiente de consistencia interna alfa de Cronbach fue 0,703 y el coeficiente de correlación intraclase de 0.91. El instrumento se presentó bastante equilibrado en cuanto a dificultad: 46,6% de ítems fáciles, 13.3% de ítems de dificultad media y 53.3% de alta dificultad. En conclusión, es un instrumento simple de utilizar y de puntuar. La versión española tiene unas buenas propiedades psicométricas y proporciona un instrumento válido y fiable para la valoración de los conocimientos basados en la evidencia para un manejo óptimo de catéteres venosos periféricos en personas portadoras. (AU)

Nursing practice should be based on available evidence-based practice because of its impact on patient safety in care. Its use should not only be encouraged in professionals but should begin in nursing education. The objective of this study is to translate, adapt, extend and validate a learning assessment instrument in relation to knowledge of peripheral venous catheter management. A two-stage process was followed: 1) translation, adaptation and extension of the instrument; and 2) psychometric testing. The study included 675 nursing students. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was 0.703 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91. The instrument was fairly balanced in terms of difficulty: 46.6% easy items, 13.3% items of medium difficulty and 53.3% of high difficulty. In conclusion, it is a simple instrument to use and to score. The Spanish version has good psychometric properties and provides a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of knowledge for the management of catheters. (AU)

Emotional experience of the diagnostic process of a rare disease and the perception of support systems: A scoping review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of adult patients and adult patients' families, and their perception of the support systems received during the diagnostic process of rare diseases. BACKGROUND: There are about 7,000 rare diseases that affect 7% of the world's population. Rare diseases are often underdiagnosed. This has been reported to have deleterious physical and psychological consequences in both the patients and their families, especially when institutional support during this process is low. DESIGN: A scoping review was carried out following the 6-phase model proposed by Arksey & O'Malley and Levac et al., including the consultation phase in which patients diagnosed with rare diseases were interviewed to seek their views on the bibliographic evidence reviewed and their experience during the diagnostic process. METHODS: The databases consulted were PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, OpenGrey, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. They were explored from inception-July 2020, and qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for the critical evaluation of the articles. The review was based on the guidance in the PRISMA-ScR statement. RESULTS: The initial search identified 2,350 articles, of which 20 fully met the inclusion criteria and were therefore reviewed. In this analysis appeared two dimensions: internal factors: emotional aspects, and external factors: resources and support systems. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL: This review provides evidence on the emotional impact of the diagnostic process and during the communication phase of the definitive diagnosis. Health systems and professionals must be strengthened in order to improve the information, training and resources. Nurses can play a key role in coordinating communication and follow-up of those affected.

Practical view of the topical treatment of peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyse topical treatments for peripheral venous catheter (PVC)-related phlebitis. DESIGN: The methodological framework used to make this scoping review was developed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005; (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 2005 and 19)). DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed in various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, Cuiden, Web of Science, WorldWideScience and Joanna Briggs. Additionally, articles from informal sources were incorporated. REVIEW METHODS: A search and selection were made of experimental, quasi-experimental and pre-experimental studies published between January 2015 and September 2020 that consider the use of topical products for the treatment of hospital in-patients with PVC-related phlebitis. Appraisal of the methodological quality of the study was performed independently by pairs of reviewers on the basis of the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The review was based on the guidelines in the PRISMA-ScR statement. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were selected (8 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 12 quasi-RCTs and 2 pre-experimental studies) which considered treatments applied to a total of 2042 adult patients. The topical treatments described were classified into physical measures and phytotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments. The physical measures are easy to apply, but their effectiveness is limited. The main limitation of the phytotherapeutic treatments is their marketing and use in eastern culture. The best performing pharmacological treatment is the application of magnesium sulphate either with or without glycerine. These products can be presented in different pharmaceutical formulas: ointment, solution and oil. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The evidence currently available on this issue is limited and often of dubious methodological rigour. Further studies are required on the treatment and follow-up of intravenous therapy-related phlebitis in different national and international contexts.

Evidence of learning on the insertion and care of peripheral venous catheters in nursing students: A mixed study.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To assess nursing students' evidence-based knowledge on the use of PVCs, and 2) to examine the perception of learning and teaching strategies aimed at this skill. BACKGROUND: Insertion and care of Peripheral Venous Catheters (PVCs) are essential skills in undergraduate nursing education. Appropriate knowledge of this skill is crucial to improve clinical practice and patient safety. Therefore, training becomes an enabler for safe practice. DESIGN: A multi-centre convergent parallel mixed-methods. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 675 second-, third- and fourth-year nursing students from 3 nursing schools took part in the study. METHODS: Quantitative data collection used a validated 15-question survey on knowledge of PVC management, and a descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out. Qualitative data were collected via a questionnaire consisting of 4 open-ended questions assessing knowledge, teaching methodologies and scenarios, and points for improvement. RESULTS: Most participants were female (74.04%), with a mean age of 22.45 (SD = 4.65), who had no experience in the health field (61.8%). They obtained a mean knowledge score of 7.27 (SD = 2.64) out of 15. The students who obtained higher scores had a mean professional experience of 7.96, SD = 2.66 (p 0.000) and were in their final year, with a mean of 8.59, SD = 2.56, (p 0.000). On the other hand, the students assessed their knowledge as basic but improving year by year. They also identified a need to apply more active and experiential methodologies that would allow for reflection. CONCLUSION: Level of educational level and experience is associated with increased knowledge. In order to improve knowledge, changes must be made in the training process to incorporate methodologies such as simulation and online training. There is a need to develop programmes that favour the alignment of theory with clinical practice.