Evaluation of techniques for intravenous catheter and tubing fixation

The aim of this study was to examine two techniques intended to prevent accidental displacement of intravenous catheters after proper establishment of infusion line access.

After catheter insertion and taping in position, fixation with gauze roll sequentially wrapped around the limb across which the tubing has been extended was compared with the use of a polyethylene roll manipulated by an attached "handle." The experimentation was performed on medical personnel serving as live models.

Thirty-eight trials were conducted with 19 of each fixation technique. The variables measured were: time consumption, convenience, general satisfaction, and success score of the fixation. All of the measurements showed that the polyethylene roll was significantly the superior of the two methods. Despite forceful tugging of the tubing, polyethylene fixation virtually prevented any displacement whatsoever and was more than twice as rapid.

We demonstrate a novel device allowing faster and more efficacious fixation of the infusion drip tubing and catheter suggested as the technique of choice in emergency medical field care.