OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to assess the impact of peripheral cannulas and vein scanner in the development of phlebitis.

METHODS: Our prospective, quantitative, and qualitative study conducted at the emergency department of Fejér County Szent György University Teaching Hospital of Hungary between January and March 2022, involving 100 peripheral cannulas (n=100). Our target population was patients who used a peripheral cannula for at least 24 hours. The insertion of the cannula was recorded on a self-made survey sheet. Characteristics for cannula care and removal were measured on a separate survey sheet. 24 cannulas were inserted with a Veinlite EMS PRO venous scanner. Analysis was made with descriptive statistics as well as χ² test and t test using MS Excel and IBM SPSS 25.0 (p≤0.05).

RESULTS: Cannulas used for ≥96 hours (n=16) and cannulas used for shorter periods (n=13) were not significantly more likely to have phlebitis (p=0.126). There was a significant difference in the incidence of phlebitis between pre-hospital care (n=8) and cannulas placed in the emergency department (n=21) (p=0.033). In the case of cannulas ensured by a venous scanner (n=8), the incidence of phlebitis did not decrease significantly compared to cannulas inserted without a venous scanner (n=21; p=0.612). The incidence of phlebitis was not higher when the cannula was placed in the median cubital vein (n=10) versus other veins (n=19; p=0.632).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that cannulas used for at least 96 hours did not increase the incidence of phlebitis. The use of a venous scanner did not help to avoid complications.