EFFECTIVENESS OF NURSE-LED EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH AMONG NURSES ON FREQUENCY OF PHLEBITIS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN CHILDREN AT PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Hospital care is fundamental for the prevention and promotion of health, patient safety, and the restoration of health and well-being. Between 80.6% and 86.4% of hospitalized patients receive an intravenous bolus/push medication, and almost 60% of hospitalized patients receive at least one Peripheral intravenous cannulation. Up to 69% of hospitalized patients experience early access failure due to PIVC complications such as infiltration, extravasation, blockage, dislocation, and phlebitis.

Objective: To determine the existing frequency and associated factors of phlebitis in children and to find out the effectiveness of Nurse-led evidence based approach among nurses in term of improvement in frequency and associated factors of phlebitis in children.

Methodology: This quasi-experimental single-group pre-post study was conducted in the Public Sector Hospital Sialkot. A sample size of 36 nurses was selected through purposive sampling. Data collection spanned nine months, encompassing pre-intervention assessment, a 20-week training phase, and post-intervention evaluation. The training involved bedside sessions, presentations, and hands-on activities focused on standard techniques for IV cannulation care. The Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) scale and an observational checklist were used to assess outcomes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 24, with paired sample t-tests and Chi-square tests to determine the intervention's impact on phlebitis incidence.

Results: This study involved 36 nurses, primarily with 4-6 years of experience (72.2%) in the Nursery (63.9%). The intervention significantly reduced the frequency of phlebitis in pediatric patients from 58.3% to 41.6% and improved mean severity scores. Various factors, including age and cannulation attempts, showed different associations with phlebitis development, with the intervention particularly effective for irritant drugs and first-day cannulation. Nurses' practice scores improved significantly post-intervention, increasing from 8.36 ± 1.51 to 15.89 ± 1.06, indicating the effectiveness of targeted educational strategies in enhancing nursing practices and patient outcomes.

Conclusion: The study concluded that education and adherence to best practices in IV cannulation, showing significant improvements post-intervention through targeted training. Future research should continue optimizing IV cannulation practices to minimize complications.