Accepted but unacceptable: peripheral IV catheter failure.

Area of Science:

• Medical procedures
• Vascular access
• Patient safety

Background:

• Peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter insertion is the most frequent invasive hospital procedure globally.
• Current peripheral IV catheter failure rates range from 35% to 50%, indicating significant room for improvement.
• Catheter failure incurs substantial costs for patients, healthcare providers, and the overall health system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the underlying mechanisms contributing to the high failure rate of peripheral IV catheters.
• To identify opportunities for enhancing the success and reliability of peripheral IV insertions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on peripheral IV catheter insertion complications.
• Analysis of data pertaining to peripheral IV catheter failure rates.
• Examination of factors contributing to procedural failure.

Main Results:

• Peripheral IV catheter insertion exhibits a high overall failure rate, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare resources.
• Despite technological advancements, significant challenges persist in achieving consistent success with peripheral IV placement.
• Specific mechanisms contributing to catheter failure have been identified, highlighting areas for intervention.

Conclusions:

• Persistent high failure rates in peripheral IV catheterization present a critical issue in healthcare delivery.
• Further investigation into the identified failure mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted improvement strategies.
• Optimizing peripheral IV insertion techniques and management can reduce complications and associated costs.