Awareness of peripheral IV catheters among nurses, physicians, and trainees: A prospective cohort study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2024

Publication Title

American journal of infection control

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVs) are the most frequently used invasive device in hospitalized patients. These devices are not benign and are associated with complications. However, clinician awareness of them is variable and poorly understood.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational point prevalence study to assess awareness of PIV presence among clinicians caring for hospitalized patients in 4 hospitals between May 2018 and February 2019 located in Michigan, USA. We first assessed patients for the presence of a PIV then interviewed their providers. Differences in awareness by provider type were assessed via χ² tests; P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Analyses were performed on Stata MP v16.

RESULTS: A total of 1,385 patients and 4,003 providers were interviewed. Nurses had the greatest awareness of overall PIV presence, 98.6%, while attendings were correct 88.1% of the time. Nurses were more likely to correctly assess PIV presence and exact location than physicians (67.7% vs. < 30% for all others). Awareness of PIV presence did not significantly vary among providers in patients with multiple vascular access device(s), on contact precautions, or those receiving active infusions.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the ubiquity of PIVs and known complications, methods to increase awareness to ensure appropriate care and removal are necessary.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Prospective Studies; Female; Male; Catheterization, Peripheral; Physicians; Middle Aged; Nurses; Michigan; Adult; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Aged; Catheter-Related Infections

PubMed ID

38844143

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Volume

52

Issue

10

First Page

1122

Last Page

1127

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