Do We Insert Too Many PIVCs? Reducing Unnecessary Cannulation in Acute Care
Posted
on 12 January 2027
 "Do We Insert Too Many PIVCs? Reducing Unnecessary Cannulation in Acute Care")
| Study Overview Peripheral intravenous catheters are among the most frequently used invasive devices in hospitals, yet many are inserted “just in case” and never used. This systematic review examined interventions designed to reduce unnecessary PIVC insertion and unused catheters in adult acute care. Twelve studies from emergency departments and inpatient settings across high-income countries were included. Key Findings Most studies reported reductions in both overall PIVC insertion and unused or inappropriate PIVCs after an intervention was introduced. Six of eight studies that measured insertion rates reported a statistically significant reduction. Some interventions were also associated with improvements in outcomes such as phlebitis and bloodstream infection. More recent approaches tended to combine several strategies, including education, policy changes, decision support and broader organisational change. Importantly, two studies showed that reductions in unnecessary PIVC use could be sustained over several years. Implications Reducing unnecessary PIVC insertion requires more than reminding clinicians to cannulate less. The most promising approaches address the behavioural, cultural and organisational factors that drive precautionary cannulation and make appropriate vascular access decisions easier. Avoiding an unnecessary PIVC can prevent procedural pain and catheter-related complications while reducing workload and healthcare costs. Read more: https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.70357 Authors: Giles Barrington; Lauren E. Thurlow; Sarah Wiggs; Sundy Ni-Yen Yang; Suzanne Bumpstead; Bibesh Pokhrel; Viet Tran; Diana Egerton-Warburton; Lisa Kuhn |
