Brenda A Brady Boyce1, Barbara Homer Yee. 1. Assessment and Remediation, Ready-point Nursing, Pearson Education, 75 Arlington St, Suite 6W056, Boston, MA 02116, USA. drbrendaboyce@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nurses noted that the rate of phlebitis was high when intravenous amiodarone was infused via a peripheral site. Hospital policy recommends a central vascular catheter, but this method is often not feasible because the drug is administered in emergent situations for short periods. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate and severity of phlebitis in patients given peripherally infused amiodarone. METHODS: The literature, policy, and procedures for administration of amiodarone were reviewed; the pharmacy was consulted; and a data collection tool was developed. The tool was pilot tested and revised, and face validation was established. Data were collected during a 6-month period. A convenience sample was used. RESULTS: The study included a total of 12 patients. Each new infusion of intravenous amiodarone was considered a separate occurrence, for a total of 24 infusions. Various grades of phlebitis developed in 8 patients (67%). Phlebitis developed at 12 of the 24 infusion sites (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving peripherally infused amiodarone are at high risk for phlebitis. This complication may lead to infection, additional medical intervention, delay in treatment, and prolonged hospitalization.
BACKGROUND: Nurses noted that the rate of phlebitis was high when intravenous amiodarone was infused via a peripheral site. Hospital policy recommends a central vascular catheter, but this method is often not feasible because the drug is administered in emergent situations for short periods. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate and severity of phlebitis in patients given peripherally infused amiodarone. METHODS: The literature, policy, and procedures for administration of amiodarone were reviewed; the pharmacy was consulted; and a data collection tool was developed. The tool was pilot tested and revised, and face validation was established. Data were collected during a 6-month period. A convenience sample was used. RESULTS: The study included a total of 12 patients. Each new infusion of intravenous amiodarone was considered a separate occurrence, for a total of 24 infusions. Various grades of phlebitis developed in 8 patients (67%). Phlebitis developed at 12 of the 24 infusion sites (50%). CONCLUSIONS:Patients receiving peripherally infused amiodarone are at high risk for phlebitis. This complication may lead to infection, additional medical intervention, delay in treatment, and prolonged hospitalization.
Authors: Luciene Muniz Braga; Pedro Miguel Parreira; Anabela de Sousa Salgueiro Oliveira; Lisete Dos Santos Mendes Mónico; Cristina Arreguy-Sena; Maria Adriana Henriques Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2018-05-17