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Updated: Sep 30, 2026
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
The safety and efficacy of peripheral intravenous catheters in ill neonates
L S Franck1, D Hummel, K Connell
1Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, England. linda.franck@kcl.ac.uk
Insights
This quality improvement audit assessed peripheral intravenous catheter practices in neonatal intensive care units. Findings reveal adherence to standards and identify areas for improving intravenous access safety and efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Practices
- Clinical Quality Improvement
- Intravenous Therapy
Background:
- Peripheral intravenous catheters are crucial for neonatal intensive care.
- Standardized practices are essential for safe and effective intravenous access.
- Auditing current practices identifies areas for improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate peripheral intravenous catheter insertion practices.
- To assess the duration of peripheral intravenous catheter therapy.
- To identify complications associated with peripheral intravenous catheters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a quality improvement clinical audit approach.
- Collected data on insertion techniques, therapy duration, and adverse events.
- Focused on practices within the neonatal intensive care unit setting.
Main Results:
- Provided evidence of adherence to established practice standards.
- Established benchmarks for evaluating new interventions.
- Highlighted specific areas for enhancing intravenous access safety.
Conclusions:
- Clinical audits are effective for assessing intravenous-device practices.
- Data support quality improvement initiatives in neonatal care.
- Findings inform future research on optimizing intravenous access.
Abstract:
This article describes the use of a quality improvement clinical audit approach to identify insertion practices, duration of therapy, and complications related to peripheral intravenous catheters. These data provide evidence for adherence to practice standards and benchmarks for evaluation of new interventions to improve the safety and efficacy of intravenous access practices. Implications for quality improvement and clinical research related to intravenous-device practices within the neonatal intensive care unit are discussed.
