Risk factors to peripheral catheter related phlebitis incidence: an analytical study

Using vein is one of the important ways to providing water, electrolytes, drugs and supplement material for patients in hospitals and other therapeutic centers. Phlebitis that means inflammation of superficial veins is a side effect of using peripheral cannulae. This study proposed to determine the incidence of phlebitis related to peripheral cannulae, and its predisposing factors. This prospective and follow up analysis study was done in adults medical surgical units, include orthopedy, neurology, gynecology, general internal, general surgery and ear, nose throat units. Two hundred ninety seven cannulae related to 297 patients were monitored. Phlebitis is defined by the presence of at least two of the following symptoms, local pain, redness, swelling, warmth and palpable venous cord. The mean of patient's age was 40.82±19.48 (12-91) years. The incidence of phlebitis was 14.1% and factors such as diabetes (P=0.001) and smoking (P=0.007) were identified as relevant to the development of phlebitis. Odd Ratio for diabetes and smoking were 3.107(CI=1.310-7.372, 95%) and 3.736(CI=1.736-8.039, 95%) respectively. The overall incidence of phlebitis was low, when compare with other similar studies. The high incidence of phlebitis in diabetics, smokers and old patients needs special nursing interventions to minimize severity of this problem.