Comparison of Routine Replacement With Clinically Indicated Replacement of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters

IMPORTANCE Peripheral intravenous catheters (PVCs) are the most frequently used indwelling devices in hospitals worldwide. Peripheral intravenous catheter bloodstream infections (PVC-BSIs) are rare, but severe and preventable, adverse events. OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of PVC-BSIs after changing the policy of routine PVC replacement every 96 hours to clinically indicated replacement.