The infusion nurse and patient complication rates of peripheral-short catheters. A prospective evaluation.

The objective of this study was to compare catheter-related complication rates in patients who had infusion devices placed by infusion nurses with complication rates in patients who had devices placed by generalist nurses. The data demonstrated that peripheral infusion devices placed by infusion nurses exhibited a statistically significant lower rate of leakage, phlebitis, and infiltration complications and remained in the vein significantly longer than those placed by generalist nurses. However, significance was not achieved with pain complication rates between the two groups. The implications of these outcomes for staff development and quality of patient care are discussed.