Table 2.
Baseline infusion-related characteristics of study devices
| Variable |
3-Day Routine Change Group (n = 323), n (%) |
Clinically Indicated Change Group (n = 280), n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| IV cannula gauge | ||
| • 22 | 43 (13%) | 46 (16%) |
| • 20 | 241 (75%) | 201 (72%) |
| • 18 | 27 (12%) | 30 (11%) |
| • Other | 2 (1%) | 3 (1%) |
| Vein assessment | ||
| • Good | 143 (44.3%) | 107 (38.2%) |
| • Fair | 160 (49.5%) | 144 (51.4%) |
| • Poor | 20 (6.2%) | 29 (10.4%) |
| Skin integrity | ||
| • Good | 138 (43%) | 104 (37%) |
| • Fair | 178 (55%) | 164 (59%) |
| • Poor | 7 (2%) | 12 (4%) |
| Past history of phlebitis | 2 (0.6%) | 4 (1.4%) |
| Insertion site | ||
| • Hand | 206 (64%) | 187 (67%) |
| • Forearm | 59 (18%) | 49 (18%) |
| • Cubital fossa | 51 (16%) | 38 (14%) |
| • Other | 7 (2%) | 6 (2%) |
| Receiving infusate | 241 (75%) | 215 (77%) |
| pH of infusate - Mean (SD) | 6.0 (0.5) | 6.0 (0.4) |
| Receiving oral antibiotics | 24 (7%) | 24 (9%) |
| Receiving IV antibiotics | 236 (73%) | 176 (63%) |
| pH of IV antibiotics - Mean (SD) | 6.9 (1.1) | 6.9 (1.3) |
| Receiving other IV meds | 190 (59%) | 179 (64%) |
| pH of other IV meds - Mean (SD) | 5.6 (2.6) | 6.0 (2.8) |
| Wound drain | 50 (16%) | 40 (14%) |
| Urinary catheter | 55 (17%) | 41 (15%) |
| Other vascular device | 26 (8%) | 24 (9%) |
| Inserted by | ||
| • Junior doctor | 232 (72%) | 207 (74%) |
| • Registered Nurse | 67 (21%) | 57 (20%) |
| • Senior doctor | 24 (7%) | 16 (6%) |
| Where inserted | ||
| • Ward | 216 (67%) | 188 (67%) |
| • Emergency department | 74 (23%) | 70 (25%) |
| • Other | 33 (10%) | 22 (8%) |
| Current infection (site) | ||
| • Respiratory | 97 (30%) | 49 (18%) |
| • Urinary | 24 (7%) | 19 (7%) |
| • Wound | 16 (5%) | 15 (5%) |
| • Other | 29 (9%) | 37 (13%) |
| • >1 site | 5 (2%) | 4 (1%) |
| N/A (none) | 152 (47%) | 156 (56%) |
| Risk of phlebitis (Tagar scale) | ||
| • Low | 174 (54%) | 144 (51%) |
| • Medium | 149 (46%) | 136 (49%) |
| • High | 0 | 0 |