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Research Article: Assessment, Treatment, and Follow-Up of Phlebitis Related to Peripheral Venous Catheterisation: A Delphi Study in Spain

Date Published: 2024-02-01

Abstract:
Background: Phlebitis related to peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) is a common complication in patients who require these devices and can have important consequences for the patients and the healthcare system. The management and control of the PVC-associated complications is related to nursing competency. The present study aims to determine, at the national level in Spain, the consensus on the assessment, treatment, and follow-up of PVC-related phlebitis and the importance of the actions taken. Method: A three-round Delphi technique was used with clinical care nurses who are experts in the field of in-hospital intravenous treatment in Spain. For this, an online questionnaire was developed with three open-ended questions on the dimensions of phlebitis assessment, treatment, and follow-up. For the statistical analysis of the results, frequencies and percentages were used to determine consensus, and the measures of central tendency (mean, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation) were used to rank importance. The coefficient of variation was set as acceptable at ?30%. Results: The final sample was 27 expert nurses. At the conclusion of round 3, actions were ranked according to their importance, with six items included in the PVC-related phlebitis assessment (symptomatology/observation, redness, the Maddox scale, induration, temperature, and pain), two in treatment (catheter removal, pentosan polysulphate sodium ointment + application of cold), and just one in follow-up (general monitoring + temperature control). Conclusions: There is a major disparity in relation to the PVC-related phlebitis assessment, treatment, and follow-up actions. More clinical studies are therefore needed to minimise the complications associated with the use of PVCs, given their impact on the quality of care and patient safety and their economic cost.

Introduction:
Vascular access is an essential element of healthcare. According to Almirante [1], it is estimated that 70% of patients have a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) inserted during their hospital stay. More specifically, a 2022 Spanish nosocomial infection prevalence study called the EPINE study [2] found that 76.34% of patients had PVCs inserted. The use of these devices has many advantages, but can also involve certain complications, with one of the most frequent being phlebitis [3]. Its prevalence varies widely from…

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