COMPLIANCE WITH EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL PRACTICES FOR THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PERIPHERAL VENOUS CATHETERS IN HOSPITALIZED PEOPLE

Abstract

The peripheral venous catheter (PVC) is a device widely used in the clinical environment and has high complication rates. Evidence-based strategies have been defined for installation and maintenance. The objective of the study was to describe adherence to evidence-based clinical practices in the installation and maintenance of the PVC in a high-complexity hospital. The research corresponds to a cross-sectional observational study of PVCs in hospitalized users, based on data gathered through an information collection form and evaluated by nurses from the vascular access team. 225 PVCs were analyzed; 85.3% were used by adults, and 50.6% by users of medical-surgical services. The most common device was the traditional peripheral catheter, used in 93.7%. With respect to installation practices, it was observed that 58.2% had an installation date and time and 69.7% had no number of attempts. The most used gauge was the 20 gauge. With respect to maintenance practices, 93.9% had semipermeable transparent dressing with visible insertion site, and 71.6% had no clinical symptoms at the time of evaluation. The most prevalent complication was the presence of traces of blood in 8.4%, 30% were inactive for the last 24 hours and 81.8% did not have a record of pulsatile lavage every 12 hours. The results agree with international and Latin American studies for the installation and maintenance of these devices.