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A time and motion study of peripheral venous catheter flushing practice using manually prepared and prefilled flush
Samantha Keogh1, Nicole Marsh, Niall Higgins
1National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients, Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia (Dr Keogh, Ms Marsh, Dr Rikard, and Dr Higgins); Centre for Clinical Nursing, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Keogh, Ms Marsh, Ms Davies, and Dr Rickard); and Queensland Health Clinical Skills Development Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Dr Higgins). Samantha Keogh, PhD, RN, is a nurse-researcher in the field of critical care and a senior research fellow at the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients in Brisbane, Australia. Her work focuses on intravenous devices, skin integrity, and symptom management in acute and critical care settings. Nicole Marsh, MAdvPrac(c), RN, is a clinical nurse and researcher in the field of intravascular access at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. She has been the project manager of several large randomized controlled trials. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in advanced practice, with a focus on health care research and peripheral venous intravenous devices. Niall Higgins, PhD, RN, is a senior research assistant with the Griffith University Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing. His clinical background is in emergency nursing. For the past 10 years, he has worked in multidisciplinary clinical education. Karen Davies, Grad Dip Hlth Mngmt, RN, has 20 years' renal and hemodialysis experience, 12 of which have been as a manager. She has been a safe medication practice Clinical Nurse Consultant in clinical pharmacology for 9 years. Claire Rickard, PhD, RN, established and leads Griffith University's Intravascular Device (IVD) Research Group, a collaboration of nursing and medical clinicians, microbiologists, and researchers undertaking trials in conjunction with major hospitals throughout Aust
Abstract:
Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the simplest and most frequently used method for drug, fluid, and blood product administration in the hospital setting. It is estimated that up to 90% of patients in acute care hospitals require a PVC; however, PVCs are associated with inherent complications, which can be mechanical or infectious. There have been a range of strategies to prevent or reduce PVC-related complications that include optimizing patency through the use of flushing. Little is known about the current status of flushing practice. This observational study quantified preparation and administration time and identified adherence to principles of Aseptic Non-Touch Technique and organizational protocol on PVC flushing by using both manually prepared and prefilled syringes.
