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Nurses' knowledge regarding patients with intravenous catheters and phlebitis interventions
Gülten Karadeniz1, Necip Kutlu, Ertuğrul Tatlisumak
1Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.
Summary
Nurses possess high knowledge of intravenous catheter care, yet their practices fall short, leading to a high incidence of phlebitis. Vein selection, patient age, and diagnosis significantly impact phlebitis development.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Infection Control
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Intravenous (IV) therapy is a common medical procedure.
- Phlebitis, an inflammation of the vein, is a frequent complication of IV therapy.
- Assessing nurses' knowledge and practices regarding IV catheter care and phlebitis is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate nurses' knowledge and practices concerning IV catheter use and phlebitis management.
- To determine the incidence of phlebitis in patients with IV catheters.
- To identify factors associated with phlebitis development.
Main Methods:
- A two-stage study was conducted at Celal Bayar University Hospital.
- Stage I involved questionnaires to assess nurses' knowledge.
- Stage II included direct observation of patients for phlebitis symptoms and nurses' interventions.
Main Results:
- Nurses demonstrated high knowledge levels but suboptimal practice alignment.
- A significant phlebitis incidence of 67.24% was observed.
- Vein selection, patient age, and diagnosis were significantly associated with phlebitis (P <.05).
Conclusions:
- Despite adequate knowledge, nurses' practices require improvement to reduce phlebitis rates.
- Phlebitis is a common complication, influenced by patient-specific factors.
- Optimizing IV catheter practices is essential for enhancing patient outcomes and preventing complications.