The development of phlebitis in hematologic oncology patients with peripheral intravenous catheter and affecting factors

This descriptive research investigates the development phlebitis in hematologic oncology patients with peripheral intravenous catheter and the affecting factors. The population of the study consisted of 1050 patients hospitalized in the hematology clinic of a hospital for one year. The sample of the study included 150 patients who were hospitalized between July 2018 and April 2019, were suffering from oncological hematology and met the inclusion criteria. The data of the study was collected using a patient information form and the visual infusion phlebitis scale. For data analysis, Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-square and pearson correlation tests were used employing SPSS packaged software. The results were assessed significance level of p<0.05. Phlebitis developed in 5.3% of the peripheral intravenous catheters that were inserted to the hematologic oncology patients. Among the peripheral intravenous catheters inserted to the patients included in the study, it was observed a t most 49-72 hours first degree phlebitis developed in 2.7% (4 patients) of catheters. It was also determined that development rate of phlebitis was higher among patients who were obese, neutropenic, were receiving continuously isotonic fluid infusion, were hospitalized for 15 or more days, were receiving their medication via catheter 3 or more times per day, were using broad-spectrum antibiotics intravenously (p<0.05). Consequently, it was determined that 5.3% of the patients had various degrees of phlebitis. Nurses who open catheters in accordance with appropriate protocol, properly administer drugs, regularly monitor the insertion site for phlebitis, and inform patients about the symptoms of phlebitis may decrease the development of phlebitis.