A method for reducing the incidence of infusion phlebitis

A departmental routine has been evolved wherein intravenous infusions are administered for a maximum daily period of 12 hours. Exceptions are made for patients with poor peripheral veins. Results of a prospective study of 376 patients for a period of one year demonstrated a markedly reduced incidence of thrombophlebitis, namely, 4.4 per cent in 297 patients treated by the intermittent method versus 20.3 per cent in 79 patients who received continuous intravenous infusion therapy for more than 24 hours.