Contributing Factors of Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Related Phlebitis among Patients at a Teaching Hospital, Chitwan

Peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis (PIVC) is a common procedure and significant problem in day to day clinical practice. The study aimed at finding out the incidence and contributing factors of PIVC related phlebitis among admitted patients. Prospective observational study design was used among 586 PIVC sites of 465 patients having at least one PIVC sites of general wards of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital by using semi-structured interview schedule and a specific form was prepared and used to observe signs and symptoms of phlebitis. Data were statistically analyzed by using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The study findings revealed that the overall incidence of phlebitis was at 33.44 % and early stage phlebitis was 88.26 %. The incidence of phlebitis was at its highest with in the first 49-72 hours. It is associated with hypertension, patient being admitted to a nephrology ward, patient received isotonic fluid and potassium chloride. Therefore, the staffs should consider these areas and the insertion site should be observed at each shift change by the care provider to prevent phlebitis as well as it is recommended to explore other factors especially infection prevention measures.