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Abstract
Introduction: Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation
is indispensable in modern day clinical practice.
Thrombophlebitis is a very common and
consequential problem related to peripheral
intravenous catheterization.
Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study
was conducted in Allied Hospitals of Rawalpindi
Medical University in three months on 170 patients.
All the patients with peripheral venous catheter
inserted for 72 hours were enrolled and those having
skin rash or allergy to any medication or discharged
from hospital or cannula removed before 72 hours
were excluded from the study. The data was
collected by using a predesigned pro forma, the
variables included were age, gender, specific
specialty, catheter insertion site, catheter gauge,
underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, hyperlipidemia and renal failure and
smoking. Thrombophlebitis was graded using
Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score suggested by
Infusion Nurses Society. The data was entered and
analysed using SPSS version 23 and Chi Square test
was applied to check statistical significance.
Results: The incidence of thrombophlebitis found
in this study was 53.5%. The most common grade
found was Grade 2 (52.7%) followed by Grade 1
(35.1%) and 3(12.1%). Increased incidence of
thrombophlebitis in this study was found in
younger age group (16-40years), females admitted in
medical units, large sized catheters inserted on
hands, hypertensive and hyperlipidemic patients
and significant associations were Diabetes Mellitus
(P=0.004), Smoking (P=0.004) and Catheterization
without Gloves(P= 0.003).
Conclusion: Peripheral intravenous catheterization
is still on going and is a very significant problem in
Allied Hospitals of Rawalpindi Medical University.
Future studies should be made to improve the
understanding of risk factors for thrombophlebitis
especially comorbidities like Diabetes Mellitus and
to discover more effective preventive methods.
Key words: Intravenous cannula,
Thrombophlebitis, Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score