Intravenous Infiltration and Extravasation: Performance of Nurses at Pediatric Hospitals in Khartoum State in 2019

Abstract

Aim: Prevention is the best method for decreasing morbidity from peripheral intravenous infiltration and extravasation. The study aimed to study nurses’ performance regarding intravenous infiltration and extravasation.
Method: This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at four pediatric hospitals in Khartoum state. In total, 165 nurses were included using a simple random sampling of different working experiences. Data were collected using an observational checklist and analyzed using the statistical packages for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results: Most of the nurses(72.8%) did not flush 0.9% saline to assess cannula function; all nurses in the present study covered the insertion site with non-transparent plaster, and more than half (57.6%) diluted vesicant medication with a lesser amount than required. There was a statistically significant association between qualifications and practice scores (P=0.001).
Conclusion: This study showed that nurses had a poor level of practice regarding intravenous infiltration and extravasation.
Recommendation: We recommend education, guidelines, and standards for infusion therapy. Additionally, a supervisory system should be created to ensure best practices.