Abstract
Introduction: The use of intravenous (IV) cannulas is a common clinical practice; however, their prolonged or unnecessary use can increase the risk of complications such as thrombophlebitis, infection, and patient discomfort. This quality improvement project, was undertaken to evaluate current practices within the clinical setting and to identify areas for improvement.
Methods: Data was collected over the period of 2 weeks in March 2025 and it was collected every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The inclusion criteria was patients admitted to the Stroke Unit at New Cross Hospital and the exclusion criteria was patients who not have a cannula inserted or a non-occupying bed. An intervention was put in place via an oral presentation at the departmental meeting.
Results: Cannula insertion rates were 29.06% and 49.57%. Documentation rates decreased in the first week to 58.82% but recovered to 74.14% in the second week. Reasons for insertion drastically decreased to 38.24% and 18.97%. There was a significant increase in cannula prolongation to 88.24% and 98.28%.
Conclusion: Cannula insertion rates were similar across both cycles, with a slight decrease in Cycle 2. Documentation rates dipped in week 1 of Cycle 2 but recovered in week 2 and largely remained consistent. A notable decline was observed in the documentation of reasons for cannula insertion, especially in Cycle 2. The proportion of cannulas inserted for longer than 72 hours dramatically increased in Cycle 2, indicating a significant shift in practice. In Cycle 1, the average prolongation rate was 30.82%, while in Cycle 2, it surged to 93.26%, representing an approximate threefold increase. In Cycle 1, a notable portion of prolonged cannulas had documented reasons, while in Cycle 2, a large number of prolonged cannulas lacked documented reasons. This concerning trend highlights a potential gap in understanding or adherence to best practice guidelines, suggesting a need for targeted training and reinforcement of protocols.