Incidence of Phlebitis with Intravascular Cannulas in Surgical Patients during the Postoperative Period

Abstract

Background: Peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) is a routine invasive procedure being done on both medical and surgical patients. Phlebitis is its most widespread complication. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of phlebitis with PIVC in surgical patients post-operatively.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in surgical units of Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from 19^th Feb 2018 to 1^st April 2018. A total of 222 postoperative patients, with a PIVC in situ, were inspected. Patients who had elective surgical procedures were included, while patients with emergency surgeries, minor surgical procedures or active bloodstream infections were excluded from this study. Twenty-two entries were discarded because of incomplete documentation. Data was analyzed using SPSS, Chi-squared test was applied, and p ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Median age (years) of the samples was 35, 110(55%) were males and 90(45%) females. The upper limb veins were more frequently cannulized 197(98.5%), with the dorsum of the hand being the most common site. Most of the cannulas were being used for the administration of intravenous fluids and medications 136(68%). Only 12(6%) of the inspected cannula sites showed signs of phlebitis and were treated by removal only.

Conclusion: In our study, post-operative rate of cannula site phlebitis discovered was 6%. This is marginally more than global principles of 5%, set up by Infusion Nursing Society (INS) for any given population. Although, this has been lessened from a reference range of 21.9% - 51.49% in the course for the last few decades.

Keywords: Cannula; Surgery; Phlebitis; Elective Surgical Procedures; Peripheral Venous Catheterization.