Table 2. Main outcomes after randomisation to dorsum of hand or forearm intravenous catheterization.
| Hand Dorsum n = 154 | Forearm n = 153 | Relative Risk (95% Confidence Interval) | P value | NNTb (95% CI)4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Successful first catheterisation1 (intention to treat) | 144 (93.5) | 133 (86.9) | 1.1 (1.0–1.2) | P = 0.052 | |
| Successful first catheterisation1 (per protocol attempt excluding crossovers) | 141 (93.4) n = 151 | 127 (86.4) n = 147 | 1.1 (1.0–1.2) | P = 0.045 | 15 (7–597) |
| Successful first catheterisation1 (per insertion site attempt including crossovers) | 147 (93.6) n = 157 | 130 (86.7) n = 150 | 1.1 (1.0–1.2) | P = 0.040 | 15 (7–316) |
| Insertion pain VNRS score2 (intention to treat) | 5 [3–6] 4.5 ± 2.1 | 4 [3–5] 4.2 ± 2.1 | P = 0.248 P = 0.239 | ||
| Insertion pain VNRS score2 (per protocol attempt excluding crossovers) | 5 [3–6] 4.4 ± 2.1 n = 151 | 4 [2–5] 4.1 ± 2.1 n = 147 | P = 0.239 P = 0.250 | ||
| Insertion pain VNRS score2 (per insertion site attempt including crossovers) | 5 [3–6] 4.4 ± 2.1 n =157 | 4 [2–5] 4.2 ± 2.1 n = 150 | P = 0.252 P = 0.282 | ||
| Catheter replacement/malfunction3 (intention to treat) | 12 (7.8) | 11 (7.2) | 1.1 (0.5–2.4) | P = 0.841 | |
| Catheter replacement/malfunction3 (per protocol successes only; crossovers and first attempt failures excluded) | 11 (7.8) n = 141 | 8 (6.2) n = 129 | 1.3 (0.5–3.0) | P = 0.608 | |
| Catheter malfunction/replacement3 (as sited successfully) | 12 (7.3) n = 165 | 11 (7.7) n = 142 | 0.9 (0.4–2.1) | P = 0.875 |
Data expressed as number (%), mean ± standard deviation and median [interquartile range]. Analysis is by Fisher’s exact test for categorical datasets, Mann Whitney U test for ordinal data and Student t test for comparison of means and variance.
1Defined as full placement of the catheter into a vein after a single skin break confirmed with a 5 ml saline flush.
2Pain VNRS (visual numerical rating score) 1 to 10 (lower score, less pain) at first catheterisation attempt.
3Defined as the need for further catheterisation prior to hospital discharge due to unsatisfactory performance of the first indwelling catheter.
4Number needed to treat to benefit and 95% confidence interval.