Effectiveness of Intermittent Normal Saline in Maintaining Patency of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula in Children: An Experimental Study

Background It has been estimated that as many as one in three hospital patients have a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) in-situ at any given time.1 Proteins in the blood plasma, called the coagulation factors, respond in a complex cascade as soon as the blood vessel is injured to form fibrin strands, which strengthens the platelet plug. Thus, the need arises to keep the catheter lumen patent. Method The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of intermittent saline flushing in maintaining the patency of peripheral intravenous cannula in hospitalized children. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the samples as per the inclusion criteria and then randomly divided into experimental and control group as per the computer generated research randomizer. Routine flushing was practiced in both the groups and intermittent flushing was done in experimental group. Peripheral intravenous catheter in situ is observed in both groups for resistance to flow, backflow, swelling at the site, redness, blanched skin. Results Both the study groups were homogenous in respect to the age, gender, size of cannula, site of cannulation and antibiotics. There was significant difference in patency of peripheral intravenous cannula in the experimental group with intermittent saline flushing as compared to the control group. Conclusion There is a significant association of intermittent saline flushing with the patency of peripherally inserted intravenous cannula. Flushing with 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution to ensure and maintaining patency, should be performed between and administration of incompatible medications and solutions. Flushing and locking of all peripheral intravenous cannula should be established in organisational policies, procedure and practice guidelines.