Abstract
The placement of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) is potentially associated with complications that negatively impact healthcare. Our study investigated factors associated with the occurrence of PIVC-related complications in dogs and cats at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The second aim was to determine the prevalence of PIVC bacterial colonization. A total of 76 dogs and 40 cats with PIVCs were evaluated for the occurrence of phlebitis and mechanical complications. The devices were removed when they ceased to be functional or when complications occurred, and the content was submitted for bacterial cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Both multivariable linear regression models and ROC analysis were employed. Complications were recorded in 46.6% of cases, and 20.7% of catheters yielded a positive culture. Among the isolates, 45% were classified as multi-resistant. In dogs, a ≥36-h indwelling time was associated with an increased risk of complications. Male cats seem more prone to developing complications, while the insertion of PIVCs under sedation may represent a protective factor in this species. In conclusion, PIVC-associated complications were frequently observed, and the high rate of positive culture for PIVCs, together with the presence of multi-resistant isolates, is a cause of concern in a hospital setting.
Highlights
The placement of short-term peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) is a common practice in veterinary medicine [1] and becomes an unavoidable tool for administering intravenous fluids or drugs [2]
The indwelling time of intravenous catheters appears to be a risk factor for developing infectious complications, several studies have suggested that routine replacement of catheters every 72 h may not decrease the risk of catheter-associated infections [10,15]
Our study aimed to evaluate the incidence of complications and risk factors associated with using peripheral intravenous catheters in dogs and cats admitted to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital over a six-month period
Summary
The placement of short-term peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) is a common practice in veterinary medicine [1] and becomes an unavoidable tool for administering intravenous fluids or drugs [2]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a replacement threshold from 48 to 72 h [7] This threshold was subsequently prolonged up to 96 h, and recent studies have shown no benefit of routine replacement, suggesting that clinically indicated replacement is safe and saves costs and avoids unnecessary painful procedures [8,9]. Studies conducted in veterinary hospitals indicated the association between nosocomial infections and contamination of intravenous catheters, with devices’ contamination rates ranging from 15.4% to 39.6% in dogs and cats [10–14]. The indwelling time of intravenous catheters appears to be a risk factor for developing infectious complications, several studies have suggested that routine replacement of catheters every 72 h may not decrease the risk of catheter-associated infections [10,15]. For the foregoing reasons, it is clear that careful management of peripheral intravenous catheters is crucial to ensure patient comfort and reduce workplace risk in veterinary hospitals, promoting public health and leading to One Health implementation
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