Routine Replacement versus Clinically Indicated Replacement of Peripheral Venous Catheters through Assessment of Incidences and Grades of Phlebitis in Patients with IV Cannula at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Mumbai

Background: The current study assesses the incidences and grades of phlebitis among patients with IV cannula to determine the association of grades of phlebitis. The purpose of the study was to study the feasibility of Routine replacement versus Clinically indicated replacement of peripheral venous catheters. The study observes the incidences of  removing peripheral intravenous catheters when clinically indicated compared with removing and re‐siting the catheter routinely. Methods: An observational study was conducted in the tertiary care private hospital of Mumbai, India. The study was conducted over 5 weeks from May -June 2020. Purposive sampling was considered during the collection of data. The sample size of the study was 117 patients admitted having peripheral venous catheters. The standard visual infusion phlebitis (VIP) score was used as a tool for data collection. Descriptive analysis was done.  Results: Out of 117 patients (VIP score 0 -56, Score 1- 49, Score -12 no cases with score 3, 4, and 5). Routine replacement of IV cannula after every 5 days is judiciously followed, 45 healthy lines were replaced at score 0; which is the major concern (Rs. 633/- the total cost of replacing 1 PVC line).  Conclusion: Following the routine practice of IV cannula replacement based on VIP score to avoid phlebitis is equally good but simultaneously clinically indicated replacement of IV cannula is advisable to make it cost-effective and reduced number of a prick to the patients; this will help to improve patient satisfaction.