Audit of peripheral venous cannulae by members of an IV therapy forum

Abstract

This article describes a clinical audit of peripheral venous cannulae (PVC) undertaken by members of a national intravenous therapy forum. PVC care was reviewed using the RCN 'Standards for Infusion Therapy' and the Department of Healh's 'Winning Ways' report, action area 2 (DH, 2003; RCN, 2003) to define best practice. Data were collected by members of the forum and submitted for analysis by the members' coordinator. The findings of the audit highlighted several areas for improvement in PVC care. The most significant finding was poor documentation of the insertion of the cannula. An additional concern was that the person who performed the cannulation could not be identified for 236 (37.7%) of PVC audited. Draft recommendations with strategies for implementation have been proposed and feedback sought from participants with plans to re-audit in 2007.