Evaluating pulsatile flushing by pushing method and catheter size for educating nurses on peripheral vascular...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Medical Devices
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Peripheral intravenous catheter patency is vital for preventing complications.
• Pulsatile flushing is recommended but lacks standardized methods, limiting clinical implementation.
• This study addresses the need for evidence-based pulsatile flushing techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of pulsatile flushing using different infusion methods and catheter sizes.
• To provide data supporting the education of nurses in intravenous infusion therapy.
• To establish foundational data for effective pulsatile flushing implementation.

Main Methods:

• Computational fluid dynamics simulation analysis.
• Investigated pulsatile flushing for 20G, 22G, and 24G catheters.
• Assessed volume ratios, velocity, and wall shear stress with varying infusion volumes and times.

Main Results:

• Flushing effectiveness varied by infusion method and catheter size.
• Higher infusion volumes and shorter times improved perfusion but risked vascular damage (wall shear stress > 2 Pa).
• Optimal flushing: 1ml/1s for 20G, 0.5-1ml/1s for 22G, and 0.5ml/1s for 24G catheters.

Conclusions:

• Adjusting infusion volume and rate based on catheter size is essential for safe and effective pulsatile flushing.
• Findings provide data for standardizing evidence-based nursing practices.
• Results have implications for revising clinical guidelines and nurse training for better catheter management.