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Can an Antimicrobial Dressing Help Prevent PIVC Complications?
Can an Antimicrobial Dressing Help Prevent PIVC Complications?
Posted
on 29 September 2026
Study Overview
Peripheral intravenous catheters are widely used, but complications such as phlebitis, local infection and catheter colonisation remain common. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings are already used with central venous catheters, but there is limited evidence for their use with peripheral intravenous catheters.
The international ProP trial assessed the feasibility of comparing a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing with a standard polyurethane dressing. The study enrolled 300 adult and paediatric patients across three hospitals in Australia and France who were expected to require a PIVC for at least 48 hours.
Key Findings
The trial achieved strong recruitment, retention, protocol adherence and satisfaction among patients and staff.
However, one predefined feasibility target was not met, so the study did not progress to the larger effectiveness phase.
Infectious complications and/or phlebitis occurred in 19% of participants receiving the standard dressing and 20% receiving the chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing.
There were no PIVC-related bloodstream infections in either group.
All dressing-related adverse events were minor, and none required the dressing to be removed.
Implications
The study showed that an international trial of antimicrobial PIVC dressings is broadly feasible and acceptable to patients and clinicians. However, this initial phase was not designed to determine whether the chlorhexidine dressing is more effective than standard care.
The findings will help researchers refine eligibility criteria, outcome measures and trial processes for a larger definitive study. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made about whether antimicrobial dressings reduce PIVC-related infection or phlebitis.
 "Can an Antimicrobial Dressing Help Prevent PIVC Complications?")
