Prevalence of the complications related to peripheral venopuntion

Abstract

Venipuncture is a practice used for hydration, blood transfusion and blood products, as well as the use of different drugs, which makes vascular access an urgent need for all patients (1). It is a routine procedure within Nursing practices, and can generate some complications, which can range from minor complications, which produce only disadvantages, such as delaying the onset of therapies for which the insertion of a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) would be required, up to major complications that even put the patient's life at risk (2). Methods: A literature search of descriptive studies was carried out in Medline, Scielo and Elsevier databases and other searches, in order to identify the prevalence of complications related to peripheral venipuncture, resulting in 42 publications. Conclusion: Complications, according to prevalence studies, show a figure between 58 and 86% of complications in patients with inserted venous catheter during the period of hospitalization. Infiltration in 41%, occlusion 13%, thrombosis from 0 to 7%, phlebitis with 6.7%, bruising with 4%.