Phlebitis Signs and Symptoms With Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: Incidence and Correlation Study.
J Infus Nurs. 2018 Jul/Aug;41(4):260-263
Authors: Mihala G, Ray-Barruel G, Chopra V, Webster J, Wallis M, Marsh N, McGrail M, Rickard CM
Abstract
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.
PMID: 29958263 [PubMed - in process]