Pictorial Flashcard Regarding Self-Care of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula (PIVC): Is it Effective in Terms of Indwelling Time and Related Complications?

Abstract

Background: Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (PIVC) are a vital tool in the delivery of patient which
are associated with number of complications including insertion difficulty, phlebitis, infiltration, occlusion,
dislodgment, bloodstream infection and known to increase morbidity and mortality risk and decreased in
indwelling time of PIVC. The present study was undertaken with aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a
pictorial flashcard regarding self-care of PIVC on its indwelling time and related complications among
inpatients.
Method: A quasi experimental study using post-test only comparison group research design. Data were
collected at selected general wards of Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi by non-probability
sampling technique i.e. convenience sampling technique to select 80 subjects i.e. 40 in each experimental
and comparison group using tools such as subject’s data sheet, V.I.P. Score, Infiltration Scale, Universal Pain
Assessment Scale and self-developed PIVC documentation tool. Parametric and non-parametric test were
applied to analyze the collected data using SPSS version 22.
Results: Mean indwelling time of PIVC in experimental group was significantly higher (66.7 hours) as
compared to comparison group (59.4 hours) at p value of 0.038 (p<0.05). In experimental group, PIVC were
removed on the routine basis among 77.5% of the subjects and in 22.5% of subjects PIVC was removed due
to complications. In comparison group PIVC was removed on routine basis in 57.5% of subjects whereas
for 42.5% of the subjects, the reasons for removal of PIVC was due to complications which was found to
be significant (p=0.047) at p<0.05. PIVC complications such as Phlebitis (7.5%), Infiltration (10%) and
Pain (15%) were present among more number of subjects in experimental group. Patients who paid hospital
expenses out of pocket expenses had significantly higher indwelling time as compare to patients who paid
through some insurances.
Conclusion: Study concluded that Pictorial flashcard on self-care of PIVC was effective in increasing the
indwelling time of PIVC and reducing the occurrence PIVC related complications.