The Comparative Efficacy of 96- and 72-Hour Replacement Cycles for Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Peripheral intravenous injection is a common clinical procedure. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines, there is no need to replace peripheral catheters routinely every three days. However, local evidence-based research is needed to determine whether these guidelines are appropriate for Taiwan's island climate. Purpose: This study explores the effects of routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters every 96 hours versus every 72 hours, attempting to provide evidence-based information on optimal timing for replacing peripheral intravenous catheters. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was adopted. Using convenience sampling, surgical otolaryngology inpatients of a medical center in southern Taiwan were recruited. A randomized block design assigned 71 participants to the 96-hour group and to the 72-hour group, respectively. A chi-square test and independent t test were used to compare the differences in the incidence of phlebitis, injection site infections, bloodstream infections, and catheter occlusion as well as the materials costs and nursing hours per patient day between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the incidence of phlebitis, injection site infections, bloodstream infections, or catheter occlusion (p > .05). The 96-hour group had a significant NT$ 152.72/person reduction in medical material costs (p < .0001) and a significant 174.23 seconds/person reduction in nursing hours per patient day (p < .0001). Conclusions / Implications for Practice: The results of this study suggest that for cases in which no infection signs at the intravenous injection sites are detected by routine assessment for more than three shifts during one day, the optimal replacement interval for peripheral intravenous catheters is 96 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]