Reducing the Incidence of Amiodarone-related Phlebitis Through Utilization of Evidence-based Practice.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous (IV) amiodarone has multiple indications including treatment of hemodynamically unstable patients and the prevention of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias after thoracic surgery. Inflammation of the vein, or phlebitis, is the most common adverse event associated with peripherally administered amiodarone. In 2017, a rise in reported phlebitis incidents was occurring at one large academic medical center. AIM: This evidence-based quality improvement initiative aimed to decrease and enhance early detection of phlebitis in patients receiving amiodarone. METHODS: Due to the variation in assessment and management standards, evidence-based practice (EBP) methodology was utilized to establish a process for quality improvement. A thorough literature search was completed, identifying evidence-based interventions to decrease phlebitis and enhance early detection. Thorough critiques of the literature and synthesis of the evidence were completed. Multidisciplinary guidelines based on the literature were created. The guidelines included interventions such as an increase in IV assessment frequency, vein selection criteria, and the utilization of a standardized grading tool for assessment. RESULTS: Phlebitis was reduced by 30%-88%. In the first 6 months post-intervention, there was a 48% reduction in phlebitis cases. In addition, the severity of phlebitis and the quality of reporting also improved dramatically. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: This evidence-based quality improvement process led to identifying relevant knowledge gaps in care that could be streamlined into everyday nursing practice to decrease patient harm. This paper describes an in-depth process of how EBP helped to quickly take a clinical inquiry and adapt change based on findings from the evidence. Other organizations can utilize EBP to solve patient safety concerns using similar processes.

Perceptions of risk factors for phlebitis among Malaysian nurses.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous therapy is an integral part of professional nursing practice. Nurses have a responsibility to recognise risk factors for phlebitis. AIMS: To investigate nurses' perceptions of risk factors for phlebitis in a tertiary teaching hospital in north-east Peninsular Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 199 randomly selected nurses were surveyed for their perceptions of risk factors for phlebitis using a self-administered questionnaire. FINDINGS: More than half of the nurses (56.8%) had a good perception levels of risk factors for phlebitis. There was a significant association between the clinical area and nurses' perceptions of risk factors for phlebitis (p=0.04). Nurses working in medical, orthopaedic, and surgical areas had slightly better perceptions than nurses working in multidisciplinary and oncology areas. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that nurses need to continually improve their knowledge about risk factors for phlebitis to ensure safer nursing practice.

Phlebitis Signs and Symptoms With Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: Incidence and Correlation Study.

This study was undertaken to calculate the incidence of 8 signs and symptoms used for the diagnosis of phlebitis with peripheral intravenous catheters, or short peripheral catheters, and the level of correlation between them. A total of 22 789 daily observations of 6 signs (swelling, erythema, leakage, palpable venous cord, purulent discharge, and warmth) and 2 symptoms (pain and tenderness) were analyzed of 5907 catheter insertion sites. Most signs and symptoms of phlebitis occurred only occasionally or rarely; the incidence of tenderness was highest (5.7%). Correlations were mostly low; warmth correlated strongly with tenderness, swelling, and erythema.

Risk factors for the development of phlebitis: an integrative review of literature. / Fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da flebite: revisão integrativa da literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the scientific evidence published in literature regarding the risk factors for the development of phlebitis. METHOD: Integrative literature review with the inclusion of 14 original articles found in the LILACS, Scielo and Pubmed bases from January 2004 to April 2015, analyzed by levels of evidence and frequency, associated factors, degree and treatment of phlebitis. RESULTS: The frequency / incidence / minimum rate of phlebitis was 3% and the maximum was 59.1%. Most articles (57.14%) reported an association of phlebitis with risk factors, including the dwell time, puncture site and / or anatomical region, hospitalization period, number of accesses, reason for removal, sex, antibiotics, intermittent maintenance and emergency insertion. CONCLUSIONS: The need for standardizing the quantification of this event and a weak connection between the risk factors associated with phlebitis were identified. Further studies need to be developed in order to grant a real understanding of this disease in the daily routines of a hospital.

Remember the risks of intravenous therapy and know how to reduce them.

Nicola Brooks, Associate Dean, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, reflects on the potential problems that can occur with the administration of intravenous therapy.

Incidencia de flebitis asociada a catéteres centrales de inserción periférica en UCI adultos: implementación de un protocolo para enfermería / Phlebitis incidence associated to peripherally inserted central catheters in adults ICU: implementation of a nursing protocol

Justificación: La flebitis es una de las complicaciones mas frecuentes de los Catéteres Centrales de Inserción Periférica. La evidencia científica sobre la utilidad de las escalas de medición para el diagnostico de flebitis es escasa. Objetivos: Comparar la incidencia de flebitis antes y después de la implementación de un protocolo. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en 159 pacientes ingresados en UCI, a los que se les ha colocado un PICC, en dos periodos equivalentes de dos años consecutivos, Periodo 1 (n=59); frente a un grupo del Periodo 2 (n=100) en el que se aplicó un nuevo protocolo para el diagnóstico y manejo de flebitis (definición de flebitis, aplicación de la Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score y valoración continua). Resultados: El riesgo de ser diagnosticado de flebitis fue significativamente menor en el P2 (OR: 0.09, I.C.95% 0.01-0.52) Conclusiones: La incorporación del protocolo redujo un 90% los diagnósticos de flebitis (AU)

Phlebitis incidence related to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs): New nursing protocol application. Phlebitis is one of the most common complications of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). The scientific evidence about the utility of measuring scales to phlebitis diagnosis is very limited. Objectives: To compare phlebitis incidence rate before and after the introduction of a new protocol. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study in 159 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for two years. First we assess phlebitis in 59 patients (group 1). After that we apply a new protocol to identify phlebitis with visual score and continuous evaluation to 100 patients (group 2) Results: The probability of being diagnosed of phlebitis is significantly smaller in intervention group (OR: 0.09; 95% C.I.: 0.02-0.57). Conclusions: Protocol application reduced the diagnosis of phlebitis in 90% (AU)

Efectividad del tratamiento tópico de la flebitis secundaria a la cateterización periférica: una revisión sistemática / Efectiveness of topical therapies for phlebitis related to peripheral intravenous canulation: a sistematic review

Introducción: La flebitis es la complicación más frecuente secundaria a la cateterización periférica. Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de tratamientos tópicos de la flebitis post-perfusión en pacientes portadores de catéter venoso periférico. Método: Se realizó revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos y revisiones sistemáticas publicados desde 1995 a 2015 en las bases de datos Pubmed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus CUIDEN y la BVS (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud), en inglés y español. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: paciente adulto hospitalizado, portador de vía venosa periférica, con perfusión continua o intermitente, incluyendo todo tipo de terapia de infusión que hubieran desarrollado cualquier grado de flebitis. La valoración de la calidad metodológica de los estudios seleccionados, se realizó por pares de forma independiente utilizando el Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme en su versión española. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 11 estudios: 8 ensayos clínicos y 3 revisiones sistemáticas. Analizaron los efectos de fitoterapéuticos: aloe vera, chamomilla recutita y notoginseny; pomadas heparinoides y geles de heparina; antiinflamatorios como el diclofenaco y vasodilatadores como la nitroglicerina, resultando todos ellos efectivos. Conclusiones: El aloe vera, notoginseny, diclofenaco y heparina gel 1000 UI, mostraron nivel de evidencia y grado de recomendación moderado. La heparina gel es el único compuesto con indicación de la Agencia Española del Medicamento para tratar la flebitis post-perfusión, el notoginseny no está comercializado en Occidente y el diclofenaco es un antiinflamatorio utilizado en diversas patologías. Es merecedor de especial atención el tratamiento con aloe vera a la espera de estudios más concluyentes (AU)

Background: Phlebitis is the most common complication induced by peripheral intravenous catheter. Aim: To assess the best available evidence concerning the effectiveness of topical therapies in patients with peripheral venous canulation who developed phlebitis Method: The bibliographic search for clinical trials and sistematic reviews, published between 1995 and 2015, was carried out in the following databases Pubmed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus CUIDEN and BVS (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud), in english and spanish. Inclusion criteria were: adult inpatient with peripheral venous cateterization with continous or intermitent infusion, including all types of infusion therapy who developed any degree of superficial phlebitis. The quality of selected studies was assessed independently by peer reviewers using the Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme in its spanish version. Results: 11 studies were identified, 8 clinical trials and 3 sistematic reviews. The efectiveness of topical phytotherapeutics: aloe vera, chamomilla recutita and notoginseny; heparinoid creams and heparin gels; anti-inflamatory as diclofenac, and vasodilators as nitroglycerin was analized, showing effectivity all of them. Conclusions: Aloe vera, notoginseny, diclofenac and heparine gel suggest a weak level of evidence and moderate grade of recommendation. Heparin gel is the only product provided by the Spanish Medicine Agency to treat post-infusion phlebitis, notoginseny is not marketed in Spain and diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory used for various pathologies. Deserves special attention of topical therapy with aloe vera but further studies are needed (AU)

Fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da flebite: revisão integrativa da literatura / Los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de flebitis: revisión integrativa de la literatura / Risk factors for the development of phlebitis: an integrative review of literature

Resumo OBJETIVO Descrever as evidências científicas publicadas na literatura acerca dos fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento das flebites. MÉTODO Revisão integrativa da literatura com inclusão de 14 artigos originais encontrados nas bases LILACS, Scielo e Pubmed de janeiro de 2004 a abril de 2015 e analisados quanto ao nível de evidência e frequência, fatores associados, grau e tratamento das flebites. RESULTADOS A frequência/incidência/taxa mínima de flebite foi 3% e a máxima foi 59,1%. A maioria dos artigos (57,14%) relataram associação da flebite com fatores de risco, dentre eles, o tempo de permanência, local de punção e/ou região anatômica, tempo de internação, quantidade de acessos, motivo de retirada, sexo, antibióticos, manutenção intermitente e inserção de emergência. CONCLUSÕES Identificou-se a necessidade uniformização da quantificação deste evento e uma baixa consonância entre os fatores de risco associados a flebites. Outros estudos necessitam ser desenvolvidos para o real entendimento deste agravo no cotidiano hospitalar.

Resumen OBJETIVO Describir las evidencias científicas publicadas en la literatura sobre los factores de riesgo para el desenvolvimiento de las flebitis. MÉTODO Revisión integradora con la inclusión de 14 artículos originales se encuentran en el LILACS, SciELO y PubMed desde enero 2004 hasta abril 2015 y se analizaron para el nivel de evidencia y la frecuencia, factores asociados, el grado y el tratamiento de flebitis. RESULTADOSLa frecuencia/incidencia/ tasa mínima de flebitis fue del 3% y el máximo fue de 59,1%. La mayoría de los artículos (57,14%) reportaron asociación de la flebitis con los factores de riesgo, entre ellos la duración de la estancia, el sitio de punción y/o región anatómica, tiempo de internación, número de accesos, razón normal de retiro, el sexo, los antibióticos, mantenimiento intermitente y inserción de emergencia. CONCLUSIONES Se identificó la necesidad de estandarizar la cuantificación del evento y una línea baja entre los factores de riesgo asociados con la flebitis. Otros estudios necesitan ser desenvueltos para el real entendimiento de este agravio en la rutina hospitalario.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To describe the scientific evidence published in literature regarding the risk factors for the development of phlebitis. METHOD Integrative literature review with the inclusion of 14 original articles found in the LILACS, Scielo and Pubmed bases from January 2004 to April 2015, analyzed by levels of evidence and frequency, associated factors, degree and treatment of phlebitis. RESULTS The frequency / incidence / minimum rate of phlebitis was 3% and the maximum was 59.1%. Most articles (57.14%) reported an association of phlebitis with risk factors, including the dwell time, puncture site and / or anatomical region, hospitalization period, number of accesses, reason for removal, sex, antibiotics, intermittent maintenance and emergency insertion. CONCLUSIONS The need for standardizing the quantification of this event and a weak connection between the risk factors associated with phlebitis were identified. Further studies need to be developed in order to grant a real understanding of this disease in the daily routines of a hospital.

Peripheral IV Site Rotation Based on Clinical Assessment vs. Length of Time Since Insertion.

The difference in complication rates for phlebitis and infiltration between peripheral intravenous site rotation based on clinical assessment versus length of time since insertion was evaluated. Evidence was generated for a policy change that will impact the quality of patient care.

[The assessment of the effectiveness of long vs standard-length catheters in reducing complications: a randomized controlled trial]. / Valutazione dell'efficacia dei dispositivi venosi periferici a cannula lunga vs quelli di lunghezza standard nella riduzione delle complicanze: studio clinico randomizzato controllato.

INTRODUCTION: From 30 to 80% of hospitalized patients is inserted a peripheral venous catheter (PVC). The PVC may be associated to several infective and non infective complications. AIMS: To assess whether a long-length vs standard-length PCV reduces the incidence of CRCs; to assess the patients' preferences and costs. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial on 211 patients (339 cannulas) admitted to an emergency medical and surgical wards. Patients were included if >18 years and prescribed a PVC. After the randomization the PVC were inspected daily, until removal. RESULTS: 186 complications occurred with the standard CVPs vs 16 with the midline, per 1000 catheter days; 47 phlebitis were observed in patients with standard PVCs vs none in those with midline; also infiltrations (66 vs 2 per 1000 catheter days), asymptomatic thromboses (34 vs 7 per 1000 catheter days), occlusions and accidental removals were greatly reduced. The higher cost of midline is counterbalanced by the complications prevented. In addition midline patients referred less limitations (96% vs 50.7%) and an higher satisfaction (91.9% vs 53.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The midline catheters radically reduce PVC associated complications, are preferred by patients and the higher costs should be weighted against the complications avoided.

Cómo reducir los riesgos de la punción venosa periférica con un nuevo catéter de sistema cerrado / How to reduce the risks of the peripheral venous puncture with a new closed system catheter

En el presente artículo se exponen algunas de las complicaciones asociadas a la terapia endovenosa por vía periférica y se describen las características de un catéter de sistema cerrado, que consigue mejorar la seguridad tanto de los pacientes como de los profesionales sanitarios. El catéter dispone en su interior de una membrana antirreflujo que mejora su manipulación, y un novedoso sistema de conexión, con una gran plataforma de fijación, que reduce las complicaciones relacionadas con una sujeción deficiente. Además, está dotado de un dispositivo de seguridad de activación automática que protege de forma inmediata y eficaz, lo que elimina el riesgo de pinchazos accidentales (AU)

This article explains some complications associated with peripheral intravenous venipuncture and also describes the characteristics of a closed system catheter providing an improved safety, both for patient and health care professional. The catheter is designed with a multi-access septum providing a closed-system and with a new hub including a stabilisation platform for better fixation in order to reduce any complication resulting from insufficient fixation. Additionally it is a passive safety device that automatically protects from the risk of needle stick injuries (AU)

Flebite em acessos venosos periféricos de pacientes de um Hospital do Vale do Paraíba / Phlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous catheter among in-patients of a Hospital in Vale do Paraíba

A flebite caracteriza-se por uma inflamação aguda da veia, causando edema, dor, desconforto, eritema ao redor da punção e um "cordão" palpável ao longo do trajeto. Objetivou-se identificar a presença ou ausência de flebite em pacientes internados em um hospital geral, bem como os fatores que influenciam as complicações em punção venosa e o tempo de permanência dos cateteres intravenosos periféricos. Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, quantitativo, do tipo descritivo-exploratório, que analisou 76 pacientes. Destes, 24 (31,6%) evoluíram com flebite, sendo que 10 (41,6%) foram classificados como flebite grau I, nove (37,5%) grau II, quatro (16,7%) grau III e apenas um (4,2%) como grau IV. O tempo de permanência do cateter variou entre três e 120 horas, com a média de 49 horas. A Enfermagem desenvolve importante papel na prevenção das complicações associadas à manutenção do acesso venoso periférico, devendo avaliar criteriosamente os riscos de flebite.

La flebitis se caracteriza por una inflamación aguda de la vena, causando hinchazón, dolor, malestar, enrojecimiento alrededor de la punción, y una "cadena" palpable a lo largo del trayecto. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la presencia de flebitis en pacientes de un hospital general, así como los factores que influyen en las complicaciones de la punción venosa y el tiempo de permanencia de los catéteres venosos periféricos. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, cuantitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, que analizó 76 pacientes. De este total 24 (31,6%) tuvieron flebitis: 10 (41,6%) sujetos fueron clasificados como flebitis grado I, nueve (37,5%) grado II, cuatro (16,7%) Grado III y sólo uno (4,2%) como grado IV. El tiempo de uso de los catéteres varió de tres a 120 horas, con un promedio de 49 horas. Enfermería tiene un papel importante en la prevención de complicaciones asociadas con el acceso venoso periférico y debe evaluar cuidadosamente los riesgos de la flebitis.

Phlebitis is an acute inflammation of the vein that causes swelling, pain, discomfort, redness around the puncture and a palpable cord-like vein. The objective of the study was to identify the incidence or absence of phlebitis in patients in a general hospital, the complications associated with venipuncture and the length of time the catheters remained in situ. This is a prospective quantitative study with an exploratory and descriptive nature which analyzed 76 patients. Of these, 24 (31.6%) developed phlebitis; 10 (41.6%) were classified as Grade I phlebitis, 9 (37.5%) as Grade II, 4 (16.7%) as Grade III and 1 (4.2%) as Grade IV. The length of time the device remained in situ ranged from 3 to 120 hours with an average of 49 hours. Nursing has an important role in preventing complications associated with peripheral intravenous access. Furthermore, the risk of phlebitis should be carefully evaluated.

Flebite associada a cateteres intravenosos periféricos em crianças: estudo de fatores predisponentes / Flebitis asociada con catéteres venosos periféricos en niños: estudio de factores predisponentes / Phlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous catheters in children: study of predisposing factors

Este estudo objetivou identificar fatores de risco para flebite relacionada a cateteres intravenosos periféricos (CIP) em crianças. Métodos: Coorte retrospectiva realizada em 338 crianças submetidas a punção venosa periférica. Foram investigadas variáveis relacionadas à criança e à terapia intravenosa, após aprovação do mérito ético. Resultados: Das 338 crianças, nove (2,7%) desenvolveram flebite. Nenhuma característica demográfica influenciou significativamente o desenvolvimento de flebite. Quanto às características da terapia, foram significantes: utilização do CIP por mais de cinco dias (p = 0,001); manutenção intermitente (p = 0,001) e maior tempo de permanência do CIP (p = 0,006). Representaram fatores de risco: presença de condições predisponentes para insucesso da punção (p = 0,041; OR = 4,645); antecedentes de complicações (p < 0,001, OR = 40,666); administração de drogas ou soluções de elevados pH e osmolaridade (p = 0,004, OR = 7,700). Conclusão: A ocorrência de flebite não apresentou associação com características demográficas, e os aspectos da terapia que representaram fatores de risco foram condições predisponentes para insucesso da punção, antecedentes de complicações, administração de fármacos e soluções com extremos de pH e osmolaridade. .

Objetivo:Identificar los factores de riesgo para flebitis relacionada con catéteres venosos periféricos (CVP) en niños.Métodos:Estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, realizado en 338 niños sometidos a punción venosa. Fueron investigadas variables relacionadas con los niños y con la terapia intravenosa, después de aprobación ética.Resultados:De los 338 niños, nueve (2,7%) tuvieron flebitis. Ninguna característica demográfica influenció significantemente el desarrollo de flebitis. Cuanto a la terapia, fueron significativas: uso de CVP por más de cinco días (p = 0,001); mantenimiento intermitente (p = 0,001); y permanencia más larga (p = 0,006). Representaron factores de riesgo: condiciones que predisponen el fracaso de la punción (p = 0,041, OR = 4,645); e histórico de complicaciones (p < 0,001, OR = 40,666); administración de fármacos o soluciones de pH y la osmolaridad altos (p = 0,004, OR = 7,700).Conclusión:Las características demográficas no influenciaron la ocurrencia de flebitis y los factores de riesgo fueron la presencia de condiciones predisponentes para el fracaso de la punción, complicaciones anteriores, la administración de medicamentos y soluciones con pH extremos y osmolaridad.

Eventos adversos derivados del cuidado de enfermería: flebitis, úlceras por presión y caídas / Adverse events arising from nursing care: phlebitis, pressure ulcers and falls

Introducción: Los eventos adversos tienen gran impacto en la salud de las personas, en los costos institucionales y en el ejercicio profesional, es por ello que es necesario conocer el comportamiento de éstos en las instituciones de salud y especialmente aquellos relacionados con el cuidado de enfermería. Objetivo: Describir la incidencia de algunos eventos adversos relacionados con las acciones de Enfermería en una institución de salud de tercer nivel de atención. Materiales y métodos: Prueba piloto de un estudio de cohorte concurrente sobre eventos adversos relacionados con el cuidado de enfermería en una institución de salud de tercer nivel de atención de la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Fueron incluidos 198 pacientes que habían ingresado por urgencias, con permanencia entre 6 hasta 24 horas y mayores de 18 años de edad. Fue aplicado al ingreso y durante toda la hospitalización un instrumento general que evaluaba posibles factores de riesgo y la ocurrencia para cada evento adverso: úlceras por presión, caídas, flebitis y retiros de dispositivos terapéuticos. Resultados: La incidencia de eventos adversos durante la prueba piloto del estudio fue de 16.16% (n=32, IC95%= 11.32 - 22.04). De los pacientes que realizaron eventos adversos el 65.63% (n=21) presento un evento; el 25% (n=8) dos eventos y el 9.38% (n=3) tres eventos. Entre todos los eventos adversos presentados el evento más frecuente fueron las úlceras por presión. Conclusiones: Se reporta una incidencia importante de eventos adversos, cifras consistentes con la literatura. El conocer su epidemiología ayudará a establecer medidas para su prevención y control (AU)

Introduction: adverse events have great impact on patients' health, in institutional costs and professional practice; it is necessary to know how often they occur in health institutions, especially those events related to nursing care. Objective: to describe the incidence of some adverse events related to nursing interventions in an institution of tertiary health care. Materials and methods: pilot testing of a concurrent cohort study of adverse events related to nursing care in a health institution of tertiary care in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. 198 patients were included who had entered the institution for emergency care, with stays between 6 to 24 hours and older than 18 years. On admission and throughout hospitalization, an instrument was applied to assess possible risk factors and occurrence of each adverse event: pressure ulcers, falls, phlebitis and withdrawal/loss of therapeutic devices. A descriptive analysis of participants was performed and the incidence of adverse events was estimated with confidence intervals of 95%. Results: the incidence of adverse events during the pilot study was 16.16% (n = 32, 95% CI = 11.32 - 22.04). Patients undergoing 65.63% of adverse events (n = 21) presented an event, 25% (n = 8) two events, and 9.38% (n = 3) three events. Among all reported adverse events the most frequent was pressure ulcers. Conclusions: we report a significant number of adverse events figures are consistent with the literature. Knowing the epidemiology will help establish measures for their prevention and control (AU)

Peripheral phlebitis: a point-prevalence study.

The purpose of this research study was to determine the factors influencing peripheral phlebitis in the adult medical-surgical population. The authors would then be able to use those data to determine whether a change in practice was warranted. Data collection and analysis of 188 intravenous sites revealed that females with higher doses of medications in intravenous sites of longer dwell times and suboptimal nutrition were at greater risk of developing peripheral phlebitis. The point prevalence was greater than the recommended 5%, which led the authors to review their facility's patient care and documentation practices.