Up to 70% of patients in acute care hospitals need a short peripheral intravenous catheter; about 200 million are used each year in the USA alone.1,2 Intravenous catheters frequently fail before the end of treatment because of irritation of the vein (phlebitis) with symptoms including pain, swelling, redness, occlusion, and a palpable venous cord. Phlebitis necessitates catheter removal and replacement. Peripheral intravenous catheter-related blood stream infection is a less frequent but serious
complication, occurring in about 0・1% of intravenous catheters or 0・5 per 1000 catheter days.3
Intravenous catheters are often needed for a week or more, but have been recommended for regular removal and replacement with a new catheter in an attempt to decrease both phlebitis and infection. Replacement requires additional needlesticks for patients, increases work for clinical staff, and contributes to insertion of intravenous catheters being the most common invasive medical procedure and therefore a substantial contributor to health-care costs.