The effect of evidence-based care bundle implementation on the prevention of peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis

This study was carried out as a non-randomized experimental study with control and experimental groups to evaluate the effect of evidence-based care bundle implementationon the prevention of peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis. The research was carried out in Karaman Training and Research Hospital, Internal Medicine/Wound Care and Neurology/Neurosurgery clinics between 01 September 2021 and 31 March 2022. 75 patients and 88 peripheral venous catheters (PVC) in the control group, 41 patients and 48 PVCs in the experimental group were included in the sample. Nurse Information Form, Patient Demographic and Clinical Information Form, Phlebitis Evaluation Scale and Care Bundle Clinical Follow-up Form were used to collect data. In the light of current literature, an evidence-based phlebitis care bundle consisting of four parameters and 15 nursing interventions was developed and expert opinion was obtained. The standard PVC care practices of the clinics were applied to the patients in the control group. Clinical nurses were given training on PVC care, phlebitis and care bundle. The patients in the experimental group were given care in line with the evidence-based care bundle. The implementation status of the parameters in the care bundle by the nurses was recorded daily by the researcher. In the evaluation, the condition of total compliance with the care bundle was sought. If total compliance was not achieved, the relevant patient was excluded from the study. Nurses were given feedback and repetitive trainings for the parameters that did not comply, and their compliance was increased. SPSS 25.0 package program was used in the statistical analysis of the data, and Chi-square and Fisher Exact tests were used in the comparison of categorical variables. Phlebitis developed in 37.5% of the patients in the care bundle group and 60.2% of the patients in the control group, and the difference between the groups in terms of phlebitis development was statistically significant (p<0.05). The rate of phlebitis on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days in the patients who received the care bundle was lower than the patients in the control group, and the difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The phlebitis grades on all days were lower in the patients who received the care bundle than in the control group, and the difference between the groups in terms of phlebitis grades on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th days was statistically significant (p<0.05). As a result, the implementation of the care bundle was found to be effective in reducing the rate of phlebitis due to PVC. It is recommended to disseminate the evidence-based care bundle implementation to prevent the development of PVC related-phlebitis in health institutions, to carry out multi-center studies with large sample groups, to implement training programs that include current evidence-based nursing interventions to prevent the development of of PVC related-phlebitis