[Unnecessary peripheral venous catheters in ambulatory emergency care].

The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of unnecessary peripheral venous catheter (PVC) cannulation in adult patients attended in Ambulatory Emergency Care, and to analyse potential associated factors. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital for two consecutive months. The proportion of canulated and unused PVC was calculated and related to patient variables. A PVC was cannulated in 701 patients. In 103 cases (14.7%; 95%CI: 12.1-17.3) the catheter was not used, and the patients were discharged directly home. Age over 64 was associated with a higher proportion of unsuitability (19.3% vs. 10.8%; p=0.002). There seems to be a certain proportion of catheters cannulated unnecessarily in Ambulatory Emergency Care, which would justify the implementation of good practice programmes in the assessment and selection of vascular accesses.

Catéteres venosos periféricos innecesarios en la zona ambulatoria de un servicio de urgencias / Unnecessary peripheral venous catheters in ambulatory emergency care

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la frecuencia de canalización innecesaria de catéteres venosos periféricos (CVP) en pacientes adultos atendidos en la zona ambulatoria del servicio de urgencias, y analizar potenciales factores asociados.Se realizó un estudio transversal exploratorio en un hospital de tercer nivel durante dos meses consecutivos. Se calculó la proporción de CVP insertados y no utilizados, y se relacionó con variables del paciente.A 701 pacientes se les insertó un CVP, en 103 (14,7%; IC95%: 12,1-17,3) el catéter no llegó a ser utilizado, siendo dados de alta directamente a domicilio. La edad superior a 64 años se asoció a una mayor tasa de inadecuación (19,3 vs 10,8%; p=0,002).Parece existir cierta proporción de catéteres canalizados de forma innecesaria en el área ambulatoria urgencias, lo que justificaría la implantación de programas de buenas prácticas en la valoración y selección de accesos vasculares.(AU)

The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of unnecessary peripheral venous catheter (PVC) cannulation in adult patients attended in Ambulatory Emergency Care, and to analyse potential associated factors. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital for two consecutive months. The proportion of canulated and unused PVC was calculated and related to patient variables. A PVC was cannulated in 701 patients. In 103 cases (14.7%; 95%CI: 12.1-17.3) the catheter was not used, and the patients were discharged directly home. Age over 64 was associated with a higher proportion of unsuitability (19.3% vs. 10.8%; p=0.002). There seems to be a certain proportion of catheters cannulated unnecessarily in Ambulatory Emergency Care, which would justify the implementation of good practice programmes in the assessment and selection of vascular accesses.(AU)