Complications of intravenous therapy
Stephen, M.; Loewenthal, J.; Wong, J.; Benn, R.
Medical Journal of Australia 2(15): 557-559
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 792652 Document Number: 106569
A survey of 130 patients receiving intravenous therapy was undertaken. There were no instances of speticaemia over this period, despite a positive bacterial culture rate for cannulae of 48%. The incidence of phlebitis was 31%, and was associated with usual physicochemical factors. These included a cannulation time of greater than two days, an intravenous potassium supplement and antibiotics. Normal saline solutions given alone were associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis and continuous intravenous heparin administration may prolong the period of cannulation before phlebitis occurs. The institution of intravenous therapy teams should help to minimize the complications.