Reducing Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Use in Adult Acute Care: A Systematic Review.
Giles Barrington, Lauren E Thurlow, Sarah Wiggs et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated interventions aimed at reducing peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) use in adult acute care settings. Analyzing twelve studies from high-income countries, the review found that most interventions led to reductions in PIVC insertion and unused catheters, with improvements in complications like phlebitis and bloodstream infections. Meta-analysis indicated significant heterogeneity among studies.
Key findings
- Most studies reported reductions in PIVC insertion and unused catheters.
- Improvements were noted in secondary outcomes, including phlebitis and bloodstream infections.
- Two multi-year follow-up studies demonstrated sustainability of practice change.
- Interventions showed a significant trend for increasing complexity over time.
Why it matters
Understanding effective strategies to reduce unnecessary PIVC use is crucial for minimizing patient risk and healthcare costs. This review highlights the importance of implementing multi-modal interventions that address various determinants of PIVC use.
What to keep in mind
Substantial heterogeneity in meta-analysis limited the interpretation of pooled estimates, and methodological limitations restricted causal inference.