1. Peripheral Vascular Cannula
Starter Guide
Reducing Invasive Device Associated Infections:
Peripheral Vascular Cannula

2. AIM
Reduce Peripheral Vascular Cannula and Infusion Associated Infections and Harm

3. Phlebitis Inflammation of the innermost layer of the vein: Mechanical
Chemical
infective
Lumen size
Poorly combined drugs, glass particles
2. Low PH, potassium chloride, hypertonic solutions, amino acids and some antibiotices
3. In situ for more than 4 days (associated with bacteraemia rate of 4%) –concealed by clothing
Contamination by disinfectants
systemic or localised
Macklin 2003

4. Appendices VIP score (Jackson 1998) Infiltration scale (INS 2006)
Infusion Nurses Society 2006

5. Bundles Aseptic Non-Touch Technique Documentation
Remove PVC as soon as....or if VIP score >2
......clinically indicated....

6. Number of cannulae inserted between PVC associated phlebitis
Measure
Number of cannulae inserted between PVC associated phlebitis
‘Plotting successes between failures’
(insertions with no PVC infection/harm occurring) the more cannula insertions between events the better the
outcome.
Days between PVC associated infections number of insertions between phlebitis!
Might be 3 PVCs inserted on 1 day, but only counting days between.
Should count events i.e. 3

7. Grade
Clinical Criteria
No symptoms 1
Skin blanched
Oedema <1 inch (2.5 cm) in any direction
Cool to touch
With or without pain 2
Oedema 1-6 inches (2.5cm-15cm) in any direction 3
Skin blanched, translucent
Gross oedema >6 inches (15cm) in any direction
Mild to moderate pain
Possible numbness 4
Skin tight, leaking
Skin discoloured, bruised, swollen
Deep pitting tissue oedema
Circulatory impairment
Moderate to severe pain
Infiltration of any amount of blood product, irritant, or vesicant