OBJECTIVES: Peripheral intravascular catheters (PIVC) are extensively used globally. Numerous technologies are available to support PIVC care optimization and published cost evaluations focus on PIVC insertion and reduction of PIVC failure. This study evaluates the cost of implementing technologies to improve compliance to PIVC care protocols.

METHODS: A cost minimization model (with a one-year time horizon) estimated supplies and staff costs associated with PIVC insertion, dressing replacement and catheter hub disinfection in different hypothetical hospital scenarios. In one scenario with 35,000 admissions and 75% PIVC utilization rate, the number of PIVC insertions were two or one PIVC per patient in the current care (CC) and intervention groups, respectively. In both groups one dressing replacement per patient were included. Hub disinfection procedures were evaluated at six times daily per PIVC. The supplies cost of PIVC insertions were €3.76 and €5.42 and dressing replacement were €1.08 and €2.48 per procedure, for CC and intervention groups respectively. Supplies cost for active disinfection method (CC) and passive catheter hub disinfection (intervention) were €0.60 and €8.40 per patient, respectively. Staff time for PIVC insertion (20 mins) and dressing replacement (10 min) were same for both groups. Catheter hub disinfection times were 30 seconds for active hub disinfection and 5 seconds for passive hub disinfection. Procedure labour costs were based on staff hourly rate of €26.45. Parametric uncertainty was evaluated with a one-way sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS: In this hypothetical scenario, a total of €189,711 in costs and 14,219 hrs clinical time were saved in the intervention group. Number of daily catheter hub disinfection procedures, cost of disinfection procedure, and average number of dressing replacement were the most influential parameters identified in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Technologies to improve care protocol compliance and improved patient care quality can be cost saving.