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Published on: September 16, 2012
Survivability of Existing Peripheral Intravenous Access Following Blood Sampling in a Pediatric Population
Sheree W O'Neil1, Mary Ann Friesen2, Debra Stanger1
1Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA, United States.
Insights
Blood sampling from peripheral intravenous accesses (PIVs) in children is a safe and effective alternative to venipuncture. This method preserves PIV functionality, reducing patient pain and distress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Clinical Practice
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Venipuncture is a primary source of fear for hospitalized children.
- Blood sampling via peripheral intravenous access (PIV) is not a standard procedure.
- Concerns exist that PIV blood draws may compromise access integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of blood sampling on PIV functionality in pediatric inpatients.
- To determine the success rate of obtaining blood samples from existing PIVs.
- To identify factors influencing successful blood collection from PIVs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study involving 100 pediatric inpatients with existing PIVs.
- PIVs were assessed for functionality, infiltration, occlusion, and dislodgement post-collection and at 4 hours.
- Statistical analyses, including chi-square and logistic regression, examined associations between patient/PIV characteristics and sampling success.
Main Results:
- Peripheral intravenous access survivability was high at 99%.
- Successful blood specimen collection from PIVs was achieved in 76% of attempts.
- PIV age and access site significantly influenced successful blood sampling, while PIV gauge and patient age did not.
Conclusions:
- Blood sampling from PIVs is a viable technique to minimize painful procedures for pediatric patients.
- High PIV survivability and successful collection rates support PIV blood draws as a beneficial practice.
- Implementation of PIV blood sampling in a pediatric department reduced venipuncture, saving time and distress for nurses, patients, and families.
Purpose:
Although pediatric patients report venipuncture as their most feared experience during hospitalization, blood sampling from peripheral intravenous accesses (PIVs) is not standard of care. Blood sampling from PIVs has long been considered by healthcare personnel to harm the access. In an effort to minimize painful procedures, pediatric nursing staff conducted a prospective, observational study to determine if blood sampling using existing PIVs resulted in the loss of the access. The ability to obtain the sample from the PIV was measured along with patient and PIV characteristics.
Design And Methods:
Specimen collection using 100 existing PIVs was attempted on pediatric inpatients. Each PIV was observed for functionality, infiltration, occlusion, and dislodgement following collection and again in 4h. Frequencies of PIV loss and successful blood sampling were calculated. Patient age, PIV gauge, access site, and PIV age were evaluated for associations with successful sampling using chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression.
Results:
PIV survivability was reported at 99%. The ability to obtain a complete specimen was reported at 76% and found to be significantly related to PIV age and site. Size of PIV and patient's age were not significantly related to successful sampling.
Conclusions:
Encouraging rates of PIV survivability and collectability suggest blood sampling from PIVs to be a valuable technique to minimize painful and distressful procedures.
Practice Implications:
Nursing practice was changed in this pediatric department. Patients and families are saved the pain and distress of venipuncture. Nurses reported saving time and personal distress by avoiding the venipuncture procedure.
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