Publication:

Impact of interventions on the incidence of thrombophlebitis in peripheral venous cannulation in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background In hospitalized patients the use of intravenous devices like cannula are indispensable. Nearly about 80% of hospitalized patients require peripheral venous cannulation, as a part of therapy. Thrombophlebitis is one of the prevalent complications of peripheral venous cannulation.

Method The present study was aimed to find the incidence of thrombophlebitis after peripheral venous cannulations in the patients admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Impact of regular trainings and interventions on the incidence and grades of thrombophlebitis was also studied. The study was conducted for period of 1 year.

Result The total of 28850 cannulations carried out on 11686 patients was observed. Phlebitis was diagnosed in 1821 peripheral venous cannulations, giving the incidence of 6.3%. As per Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) score, 1527 (83.86%) were grade 1 phlebitis, 274 (15.04%) were with grade 2 phlebitis and 20 (1.10 %) were grade 3 phlebitis. Regular surveillance, training and timely interventions were carried out during this period and the effect of these interventions was noted in the monthly phlebitis rate. Phlebitis rate reduced from 9.89% in January to 3.99% in the month of December. There was also reduction in grade 2 thrombophlebitis (from 21.05% in January to 6.09% in December). In the last 4 months of study period grade 3 phlebitis was not reported.

Conclusions A significant reduction in the incidence of phlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous cannulations may be achieved by regular surveillance, training and timely interventions.