IV-related phlebitis, complications and length of hospital stay: 1

Abstract

Review of the literature on the various types of phlebitis, risk factors, clinical indicators, severity grading scales, and associated complications of phlebitis, in the first article in this series (Vol 7(21): 1304-12), indicated that an awareness of such factors could reduce the incidence of intravenous (i.v.)-related phlebitis. This article presents a quantitative study, of longitudinal design, conducted to determine the incidence and severity of i.v.-related phlebitis in 90 patients from a large teaching hospital over a 2-month period. The study concluded that although there were multiple risk factors for the development of phlebitis, routine IV site observation and the use of phlebitis severity measurement scales could reduce the incidence and severity of phlebitis. Complications arising from phlebitis can have long-term effects on patient care, satisfaction, and length of hospital stay. If not controlled, these risk factors can increase the personal and financial costs to patients, encourage litigation, and ultimately increase the overall costs to the hospital.