NURSING PRACTICES IN PERIPHERAL VENOUS CATHETER: PHLEBITIS AND PATIENT SAFETY

Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion: Professionals' Performance and Implications for Patient Safety: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study evaluated peripheral intravenous catheter insertion by licensed practical nurses in a simulated scenario. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed in a general hospital's simulation center located in Brazil, from January to October 2020. The authors developed a tool from the leading guidelines to measure peripheral intravenous catheter insertion performance in 60 licensed practical nurses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with proportions for categorical variables and analytical statistics to denote significance, using SPSS version 22.0. Ethical aspects were respected. Despite the sample comprising professionals who declared an average experience with peripheral intravenous catheter insertion of 6.4 years, at least 50% failed in some tool element. This low score on peripheral intravenous catheter insertion performance is because automation is possible without efforts to improve it. Adding years of practice does not generate better performance. The licensed practical nurses' performance was lower than expected, considering their reported experience, which poses a risk to patient safety. The training of these professionals needs to be discussed in countries where the practice is legal. Skills training should include simulation to approximate clinical practice; nurses must exercise their role in supervising the team.

Nursing Practices and Sensitive Outcomes Related to Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization in Portugal: A Scoping Review

Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential for ensuring high-quality nursing care. In Portugal, nurses are responsible for care delivery to patients who require peripheral intravenous access. However, recent authors emphasized the predominance of a culture based on outdated professional vascular access practices in Portuguese clinical settings. Thus, the aim of this study was to map the studies conducted in Portugal on peripheral intravenous catheterization. A scoping review was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations, with a strategy adapted to different scientific databases/registers. Independent reviewers selected, extracted, and synthesized the data. Of the 2128 studies found, 26 were included in this review, published between 2010 and 2022. Previous research shows that Portuguese nurses' implementation of EBP was found to be relatively low overall, while most studies did not attempt to embed EBP change into routine care. Although nurses are responsible for implementing EBP at an individual patient level, the studies conducted in Portugal report nonstandardized practices among professionals, with significant deviations from recent evidence. This reality, combined with Portugal's absence of government-endorsed evidence-based standards for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion and treatment and vascular access teams, may explain the country's unacceptably high incidence of PIVC-related complications reported over the last decade.

Nurses' Involvement in the Development and Usability Assessment of an Innovative Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation Pack: A Mix-Method Study

Guaranteeing peripheral venous access is one of the cornerstones of modern healthcare. Recent evidence shows that the lack of adequate clinical devices can result in the provision of substandard care to patients who require peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC). To address this challenge, we aimed to develop a PIVC pack for adult patients and assess the usability of this new device.

METHODS

Following a mix-method design, the PIVC pack development and usability assessment were performed in two phases with the involvement of its potential end-users (nurses). In phase one (concept and semi-functional prototype assessment), focus group rounds were conducted, and a usability assessment questionnaire was applied at each stage. In phase two (pre-clinical usability assessment), a two-arm crossover randomised controlled trial (PIVC pack versus traditional material) was conducted with nurses in a simulated setting. Final interviews were conducted to further explore the PIVC pack applicability in a real-life clinical setting.

RESULTS

High average usability scores were identified in each study phase. During the pre-clinical usability assessment, the PIVC pack significantly reduced procedural time (Z = -2.482, p = 0.013) and avoided omissions while preparing the required material (Z = -1.977, p = 0.048). The participating nurses emphasised the pack's potential to standardise practices among professionals, improve adherence to infection control recommendations, and enhance stock management.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed pack appears to be a promising device that can assist healthcare professionals in providing efficient and safe care to patients requiring a PIVC. Future studies in real clinical settings are warranted to test its cost-effectiveness.

Changes in nurses' knowledge and clinical practice in managing local IV complications following an education intervention

BACKGROUND

Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the most common invasive route for the rapid administration of medication and fluids. The care of PVC sites after cannulation can pose challenges depending on nurses' level of knowledge and practice.

AIM

To transfer nurses' knowledge into practice on preventing common local complications of intravenous (IV) therapy.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study was undertaken.

METHODS

A convenience sample of nurses from surgical and medical wards of a university hospital (n=64) was used. Pre- and post-education intervention levels of nurses' knowledge, practice and maintenance of PVCs, and the use of a visual infusion phlebitis scale to identify potential complications were assessed.

RESULTS

The effectiveness of the course was statistically significant for all three parameters (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted the importance of ongoing education based on the latest available evidence to enable nurses to improve their knowledge and clinical practice with regard to PVC care and associated complications.

Representações sociais de mulheres sobre cateterização venosa para procedimento anestésico-cirúrgico

Introdução: A cateterização venosa é essencial para procedimentos anestésico-cirúrgicos, com características compatíveis com estabilidade, volume de fluxo em curtos espaços de tempo e grosso calibre a fim de evitar trauma vascular. Objetivo: Identificar as representações sociais de mulheres sobre punção venosa para fins anestésico-cirúrgicos à luz dos estressores de Neuman. Materiais e métodos: Estudo qualitativo por abordagem estrutural das representações sociais realizada em um serviço de cirurgia, Brasil. Amostra de seleção completa (n=180) com delineamento temporal composta por mulheres (idade ≥18 anos) submetidas à punção venosa durante procedimentos anestésico-cirúrgicos. Utilizou-se técnica de evocação livre de palavras com o termo indutor “pegar veia para anestesia e cirurgia”. Realizou-se análise prototípica empregando o software EVOC2003. Os requisitos ético-legais foram atendidos. Resultados: As mulheres tinham de 20 a 39 anos (63%) e 10 a 13 anos de escolaridade (56,1%). No possível núcleo central constam sentimentos (“dor” e “medo-sem-medo”) em oposição à área de contraste “(in)certeza-habilidade-profissional” e “tranquila-fácil” e com elementos objetivados superativados alocados na primeira periferia, retratando estressores intrapessoais, interpessoais e extrapessoais. Discussões: A dor, enquanto objeto representacional, remeteu à função justificadora quando aproximada da agulha, reafirmando o surgimento de medo, nervosismo e da ansiedade (estressores). Conclusões: Dor, medo, ansiedade e nervosismo foram estressores identificados nas representações sociais que necessitam ser monitorados terapeuticamente por meio de relações interpessoais de confiança entre profissional-usuário, aliando a performance do desempenho, sendo necessário inserir a educação permanente para profissionais que puncionam vasos.

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement in a Cardiology Ward: A Focus Group Study of Nurses' Perspectives

Intravenous therapy administration through peripheral venous catheters is one of the most common nursing procedures performed in clinical contexts. However, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) remain insufficiently used by nurses and can be considered a potential alternative for patients who need aggressive intravenous therapy and/or therapy for extended periods. The purpose of this study was to understand nurses’ perspectives about PICC implementation in their clinical practice. As part of an action-research project, three focus groups were developed in June 2019 with nineteen nurses of a cardiology ward from a Portuguese tertiary hospital. From the content analysis, two main categories emerged: ‘nursing practices’ and ‘patients’. Nurses considered PICC beneficial for their clinical practice because it facilitates maintenance care and catheter replacement rates. Moreover, nurses suggested that, since there is a need for specific skills, the constitution of vascular access teams, as recommended by international guidelines, could be an advantage. Regarding patient benefits, nurses highlighted a decrease in the number of venipunctures and also of patient discomfort, which was associated with the number of peripheral venous catheters. Infection prevention was also indicated. As an emerging medical device used among clinicians, peripherally inserted central catheters seem to be essential to clinical practice.

Prevention and Treatment of Phlebitis Secondary to the Insertion of a Peripheral Venous Catheter: A Scoping Review from a Nursing Perspective

The objective of this work was to identify available evidence on nursing interventions for the prevention and treatment of phlebitis secondary to the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter. For this, a scoping systematic review was carried out following the guidelines in the PRISMA declaration of documents published between January 2015 and December 2020. The search took place between December 2020 and January 2021. Scielo, Pubmed, Medline, Scopus, WOS, CINHAL, LILACS, and Dialnet databases were consulted, and CASPe, AGREE, and HICPAC tools were used for the critical reading. A total of 52 studies were included to analyze nursing interventions for treatment and prevention. Nursing interventions to prevent phlebitis and ensure a proper catheter use included those related to the maintenance of intravenous therapy, asepsis, and choosing the dressing. With regard to the nursing interventions to treat phlebitis, these were focused on vigilance and caring and also on the use of medical treatment protocols. For the prevention of phlebitis, the highest rated evidence regarding asepsis include the topical use of >0.5% chlorhexidine preparation with 70% alcohol or 2% aqueous chlorhexidine, a proper hygienic hand washing, and the use clean gloves to handle connections and devices. Actions that promote the efficacy and safety of intravenous therapy include maintenance of venous access, infusion volume control, verification of signs of phlebitis during saline solution and medication administration, and constant monitoring. It is recommended to remove any catheter that is not essential. Once discharged from hospital, it will be necessary to warn the patient about signs of phlebitis after PVC removal.