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Published on: July 13, 2019
An evaluation of sharp safety intravenous cannula devices
1Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend. joanna@smtl.co.uk
Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|February 14, 2012
Summary
Two passive safety intravenous (IV) cannula devices were preferred by healthcare workers in a Welsh study. Most users would switch to these preferred safety IV cannulas over conventional ones.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Healthcare Technology
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Healthcare-associated infections and needlestick injuries are significant concerns.
- Intravenous (IV) cannulation is a common procedure with inherent risks.
- Safety-engineered devices aim to mitigate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate healthcare worker preferences and experiences with seven sharp safety intravenous (IV) cannula devices.
- To compare passive and active safety features in IV cannulas.
- To identify preferred safety IV cannulas for potential adoption in Welsh healthcare settings.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of six passive and one active safety IV cannula device across six Welsh NHS hospitals and the Welsh Ambulance Service.
- Healthcare professionals used safety devices instead of conventional ones for IV cannulations.
- Participants completed questionnaires after using each device and a final comparative questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Two passive safety IV cannula devices emerged as the most preferred options.
- A majority of participants indicated willingness to use the preferred passive devices over conventional ones.
- Identified disadvantages included slow blood flashback, leakage, and needle withdrawal resistance.
Conclusions:
- Passive safety IV cannula designs are highly regarded by end-users.
- Further investigation may be needed to differentiate between the two leading passive devices.
- Addressing user-identified disadvantages is crucial for successful implementation of safety IV cannulas.