Risk factors for peripheral intravenous catheter–related phlebitis in adults

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors affecting the development of phlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) applied to adult individuals. The research was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional, and prospective study. The study was completed with 381 adult patients who were hospitalized at Yozgat Bozok University Health Research and Application Center and received a peripheral intravenous catheter between 01 March 2025 and 30 June 2025. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Assessment Scale, and the Visual Analog Scale for pain. Frequency analysis and chi-square tests were used for data evaluation. Among the individuals included in the study, 55,12% were aged 65 years or older, 52.2% were female, 68.5% had a chronic disease, and 40.2% developed PIVC-related phlebitis. A significant relationship was found between phlebitis development and age as well as body mass index (p<0.05), whereas no significant association was identified between phlebitis development and sex, presence of chronic disease, or PIVC-related procedural/clinical variables (p>0.05). A significant association was found between nurses' educational level and the occurrence of phlebitis (p<0.05); however, nurses' years of professional experience, the number of beds in the units where they provided care, and their daily patient load did not influence phlebitis development (p>0.05). Nearly half of the participants developed phlebitis, underscoring the importance of nurses recognizing risk factors for phlebitis and implementing preventive interventions.