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Published on: December 1, 2008
Patient Self-Monitoring of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score: A Pilot Study
Soon Yeng Soo Hoo1, Joan Uy, Anne McDade
1Author Affiliations: Cardiology, Concord Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Soo Hoo, Uy, McDade, Hyun, Aguiba, Waite); Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Soo Hoo); Research Biostatistics, Concord Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Deng); Department of Cardiology, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Brieger).
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate patients' knowledge of using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) score for self-monitoring of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) during hospitalization.
Methods:
A descriptive comparative pilot study was conducted on 64 inpatients aged ≥18 years by using a structured Patient Knowledge Evaluation Questionnaire (PKEQ) on days 1, 2, and 3 of hospitalization. Patients received education on using the VIP score after admission. Patient knowledge levels, phlebitis scores, and major adverse events were compared between younger participants aged ≥18 years to <70 years and older participants aged >70 years.
Results:
Results were statistically significant for patient knowledge of using the VIP score on day 1 (P < .015) and day 2 (P < .037) after PIVC insertion but not for day 3. Patients' accuracy of scoring was comparable with nurses' scores. Major in-hospital adverse events were not statistically different. Patients of all ages ≥18 years to >70 years applied their knowledge of the VIP score for accurate assessment and monitoring of their PIVCs for visual signs of phlebitis.
Conclusion:
These findings could guide innovative clinical practice developments in safe PIVC care by promoting patient education on using the VIP score for early visual detection of PIVC-related complications.
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