Incidence of local complications in peripheral venous catheters and associated risk factors/Incidência de complicações locais no cateterismo venoso periférico e fatores de risco associados

This article estimates the incidence of local complications associated with peripheral catheters and identify risk factors for the development of most common complications. This prospective cohort study included 92 adult inpatients at clinical and surgical units who had peripheral catheterization. By daily observance of the catheters the authors determined time of permanence and local complications due to the use of a complete safety catheter. All actions began after training of nursing teams. Statistical tests used were the Fisher exact test, G test (Williams), chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, and relative risk. Local complications occurred in 56.2% of cases. Time of catheter permanence over 72 hours increased the risk for phlebitis development in 2.34% of cases (RR; p=0.0483; CI (0.91; 6.07)). Incidence of local complications was high. Phlebitis was the predominant complication and the time of catheter permanence over 72 hours was a considered risk factor for this complication.