Effect of Chlorhexidine Gluconate before Peripheral Intravenouscannulation on Phlebitis

Abstract

Phlebitis is one of the most common complications of peripheral inserted catheter that may occur in upto 75% of hospitalized patients. The center for disease control and prevention guidelines recommend a 2% chlorhexidine-based preparation, tincture of iodine, iodophor or 70% isopropyl alcohol for skin antisepsis prior to insertion of intravenous catheters. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of ‘2.5% chlorhexidine gluconate with 70% ethyl alcohol’ before peripheral intravenous cannulation on phlebitis. Using consecutive sampling, 200 subjects were studied 100 each in experimental and control group. 2.5% chlorhexidine gluconate with 70% ethyl alcohol was used as skin antisepsis before peripheral intravenous cannulation among experimental group. Assessment of phlebitis was done using visual infusion phlebitis scale in both the groups. Mean age (yrs) ± SD of study subjects were 42.49 ±15.20 and 40.26 ±16.40 in experimental and control group, respectively. Mean duration of cannula in situ was 2.66 days ± 0.75SD. The incidence of phlebitis was 54 and 59% in experimental and control group, respectively, and was statistically non-significant (p>0.05).Although, there was no significant difference between using chlorhexidine and isopropyl alcohol on prevention of phlebitis, but incidence of phlebitis in experimental group was lower than control group, so it is suggested as a selected solution for disinfection of catheter insertion site.