How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
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How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
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As far as I can see the recommendation for changing cannulas seems to go around and around. I'm interested to see that a Lancet paper says we shoud chhange them only if they need changing rather than
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Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
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How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
posted at 29/9/2012 6:40 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 873
First: 17/6/2011 Last: 17/5/2013 |
As far as I can see the recommendation for changing cannulas seems to go around and around. I'm interested to see that a Lancet paper says we shoud chhange them only if they need changing rather than routinely. I think what is most important is taking them out when no longer needed!sadian The Lancet, Volume 380, Issue 9847, Pages 1036 - 1038, 22 September 2012 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61338-5  Cite or Link Using DOI |
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Re: How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
posted at 29/9/2012 11:51 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 577
First: 8/6/2011 Last: 18/5/2013 |
Although I can not have access in this articles . I don' t agree . I think we must change them at least at 4-5 days. Otherwise we can find ourselves in the unpleasant situation to looking for the hob of an infection and to can not find where it is. |
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Re: How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
posted at 29/9/2012 1:05 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1784
First: 7/3/2009 Last: 18/5/2013 |
Even 4-5 days is quite a lot. There have been those who were doing it every 72 hours. However, some would agree about 4 days. Of course this doesn't apply to Hickman catheter and the likes. Abd no doubt, when not needed cannula should be out.
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Re: How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
posted at 29/9/2012 1:09 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1345
First: 25/1/2009 Last: 16/5/2013 |
In Paediatrics they are checked (visually inspected) twice a day. But we leave them in as long as possible providing they are needed, working, not painful and there is no sign of phelbitis |
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Re: How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
posted at 29/9/2012 3:57 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 92
First: 20/3/2012 Last: 25/10/2012 |
We have a policy of automatic renewal of all peripheral cannulas after 72 hours maximum. We check them twice daily for signs of infection and discomfort. Occasionally, a cannula will be in for longer, either because it was forgotten that it needed replacing or, in rare cases, where it is very difficult to site a cannula (even difficult for IV team and Anaesthetist). The 72 hour rule was brought in at our Trust because infection rates were too high. At the same time as bringing that rule in, they also started an IV Team (to provide advice, perform difficult cannulations and insertion of PICC Lines) and gave more education to medical staff about the importance of hygiene (and specifically cleaning the site before insertion), the latter after they did a study at the Trust on infection rates and found a large number of them were from those that were inserted by doctors (as opposed to Nurses etc). Personally, I do find the 72 hour rule is good, although it is frustrating to have to remove a perfectly good cannula with no signs of redness/infection. However, I would rather do that than risk infection. Ultimately, a cannula should be removed at the first sign of redness and pain (though some look red straight after insertion, so difficult with those). Sometimes the cannula needs removing after 24 hours due to having possible signs of infection. And, of course, should be removed when no longer required (I once had a patient who had a cannula in but, when his Antibiotics stopped, no-one took the cannula out and no one checked as there was no PVAD form (our cannula check form). Luckily, one day I was working a shift and just decided to check if he had a cannula in and found one in his arm which had been there for well over a week and, amazingly, the site was in perfect condition...not red, painful or anything....mind you, when I first started nursing we used to leave cannulas in for more than a week at a time with no issue)
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Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » How often should we change intravenous cannulas?
