One of the most common causes of
phlebitis in hospitalized patients is intravenous
catheters. The material of the
catheter is a determining factor in the development of
phlebitis, as are factors such as age, gender, and medical diagnosis of the patient. The aim of this study, conducted in the coronary care unit of a 384-bed hospital in Ankara, Turkey, was to determine the effect of two different short peripheral
catheters on
phlebitis development caused by i.v. treatment. Overall, 255 patients constituted the study sample (130 with
Teflon, 125 with
Vialon catheters). Both groups were followed up for
phlebitis development for 6 days. The total
phlebitis rate was 36.8%, with almost half of the patients (49.2%) in the
Teflon catheter group and 24.0% of patients in the
Vialon catheter group. A significant statistical relationship was found between
phlebitis rate and variables such as gender,
catheter material, and indwelling time. The results of the study demonstrate that
Vialon catheters are associated with less risk of
catheter-induced
phlebitis than are
Teflon catheters.