Patient-Centered Approach to Changing Peripheral IV Catheters

Changing peripheral intravenous catheters only when clinically indicated lowered catheter use and costs, but maintained equivalent care outcomes.

In 2010, a meta-analysis suggested that changing peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters based on clinical indication yielded clinical outcomes equivalent to replacing PIV catheters routinely (JW Hosp Med May 24 2010). Since then, the CDC rescinded its recommendation to replace PIV catheters within 96 hours to prevent catheter-related infections and other complications in adult inpatients. Yet, many institutions have not altered their policies or protocols which require changing PIVs based on routine frequency.

In this multicenter nonblinded equivalence study, researchers randomized 3283 patients who were expected to require IV therapy for ≥4 days to receive either clinically indicated replacement of PIV catheters (for phlebitis, infiltration…

Reviewing Author

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, SFHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, SFHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)