Peripheral intravenous catheters: the impact of compliance with standards on patient-reported experience measures

Although peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a frequent and often essential part of inpatient treatment, a significant proportion of patients do not receive recommended PIVC care. A study across 51 countries comparing practices with recommendations found widespread variation. Peripheral intravenous catheters were inserted at inappropriate sites (69%), covered with substandard dressings (20%), showed visible signs of redness and swelling at the insertion site (10%), and malfunctioned (e.g. leaked) (10%).¹ Poorly placed and secured PIVCs have been associated with worse patient-reported outcome measures including pain, distress, and sleep disturbance from alarming, occluded pumps.^2,3