Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal time interval for
the routine replacement of intravenous administration sets when
crystalloids or parenteral nutrition are administered via a central
or peripheral catheter in an acute care selling.
DESIGN: Systematic review of all randomized or systematically
allocated controlled trials addressing the frequency of
replacing intravenous administration sets,
METHODS: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register
(Iune 20(1) and the Ovid databases (Mcdline, CINAHL, and
CanccrLit-July 2001) were searched. Bibliographies, relevant
conference proceedings, and any product information were also
checked for references,
RESULTS: Eighteen studies were selected for review.
The 12 included studies were separated into 3 intravenous administration
set change comparisons: 24 hours versus 48 hours or
more; 48 hours versus 72 hours or more; and 72 hours versus 96
hours or more. There was good evidence that changing intravenous
administration sets every 72 hours or more does not
increase the risk of infusate-related bloodstream infection (BSI)
in patients with central or peripheral catheters and a fair level of
evidence that it does not increase the risk of catheter-related BSI.
There were insufficient data regarding the incidence of BSI
among patients receiving parenteral nutrition, particularly lipidcontaining
parenteral nutrition.
CONCLUSIONS: It appears that intravenous administration
sets containing crystalloids can be changed in patients with
central or peripheral catheters every 72 hours or more without
increasing the risk of BSI. However, it is not possible to conclude
that intravenous administration sets containing parenteral nutrition,
particularly lipid-containing parenteral nutrition, can be
changed at this interval.
