The intravenous cannula for newborn infants requiring only intravenous medication: continuous infusion or intermittent flushing?

In August 2003, the practice in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital neonatal unit changed to the use of intermittent flushing of intravenous cannulas (instead of running a continuous infusion) for infants who only required an intravenous cannula for medications. In this historical cohort comparison study, the authors determined that the duration of cannula use and the numbers of cannulas needing removal were similar before and after the change. The authors conclude that the use of intermittent flushing for intravenous cannulas is a safe and viable alternative to continuous infusion for well term infants who only require intermittent intravenous antibiotics.