Increasing nurse competence in peripheral intravenous therapy.

Infiltration and phlebitis are common complications associated with peripherally inserted vascular (PIV) therapy. This performance improvement plan included a pretest, a competency-based training module, and a posttest to determine whether nursing knowledge of infiltration and phlebitis improved. The postintervention data revealed a 50% reduction in infiltration and phlebitis. Annual education requirements combined with competency skills for assessing PIV catheter sites will provide nursing staff with the knowledge and tools to change current practice.