Peripheral amiodarone-related phlebitis: an institutional nursing guideline to reduce patient harm.

Abstract

Intravenous amiodarone is one of the most widely used antiarrythmics for the treatment of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Peripheral amiodarone infusion, however, often causes pain during infusion and subsequent phlebitis.Data collection on a cardiac telemetry unit revealed a high rate of phlebitis. A multidisciplinary team developed and implemented amiodarone peripheral infusion guidelines. The pre-guideline phlebitis rate was 85% and post-guideline rate was 38%, representing a 47% change or improvement. An additional finding was that the severity of phlebitis was reduced, as well. The results of this study suggest that the implementation of a peripheral amiodarone infusion guideline reduced the incidence and severity of amiodarone-related phlebitis in the cardiac population.

• Authors: Mary Spiering
• Journal: Journal of infusion nursing : the official publication of the Infusion Nurses Society (J Infus Nurs) 2014 Nov-Dec Vol. 37 Issue 6 Pg. 453-60 ISSN: 1539-0667 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25376322 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Amiodarone

Topics

• Amiodarone (adverse effects)
• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (adverse effects)
• Atrial Fibrillation (drug therapy, nursing)
• Guidelines as Topic
• Humans
• Phlebitis (chemically induced)