We aimed to understand the eff ect of extension of
intravenous catheter dwell-time beyond 3 days with
replacement of catheters only for clinical reasons. We
postulated that patients who had intravenous catheters
replaced when clinically indicated would have equivalent
rates of phlebitis, and no diff erence in other complications,
but reduced costs and number of catheter
insertions, compared with patients with catheters
removed every third day