Evaluation of Short Peripheral Intravenous Catheter-related Phlebitis in COVID-19 Patients-a Propensity Score Matched Study

Introduction: Peripheral intravenous catheters are commonly used for intravenous therapy.The primary reason for early removal of catheter is development of complications such as phlebitis.This study aimed to compare COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients for peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis, catheter dwell time, and insertion practices.Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a single-center, prospective study and conducted in hospitalized patients between January 24th, 2022, and June 24th, 2022.All catheters were grouped as phlebitis and non-phlebitis and compared for risk factors.COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients were matched for phlebitis risk factors and compared for phlebitis incidence and catheter dwell time.Results: A total of 932 catheters were followed up prospectively in 369 patients.Phlebitis developed in 21.8%.Poor skin elasticity, insertion shift (night shift), and antibiotic use were found as independent risk factors for phlebitis in univariate and multivariate analysis.There was no difference in the incidence of phlebitis between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups and there was no difference in phlebitis free catheter dwell-time between the groups.Labour times for inserting peripheral intravenous catheters were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group compared to the non-COVID-19 group (median 13.5 minutes (10-15) vs. 5.0 minutes (5-10), p<0.001).Conclusion: COVID-19 did not increase the risk of peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis and did not directly affect phlebitis free dwelltime.Labour times for inserting peripheral intravenous catheters were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group due to donning personal protective equipment.Although poor skin elasticity, insertion shift (night shift), and antibiotic use were found as independent risk factors, COVID-19 was not a significant risk factor for phlebitis.Our study results support the replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters in COVID-19 patients when clinically indicated, whereas COVID-19 has no significant effect on catheter dwell time.