Safety of maintaining intravenous sites for longer than 48 H.

Two years of experience with infections in intravenous (IV) therapy were studied through cohort analysis of infection surveillance records. The overall rate of infection was low compared with other published reports, but the risk of infection was related to the duration of cannulation. IVs in place for no more than 48 h accounted for 75% of all IVs and 26% of IV-associated infections, those in place for 48 to 72 h accounted for 12.5% of IVs and 23% of IV-associated infections, and those in place in excess of 72 h accounted for 12.5% of IVs, but 51% of IV-associated infections. Septicemia was associated with site infection in 20% of cases. This application of routinely obtained infection surveillance data demonstrates the ability of comprehensive surveillance programs to facilitate administrative decisions and to document subsequent quality of patient care.