A recent randomised controlled trial led by PhD student Tricia Kleidon from Griffith University has provided promising evidence for improving the experience of sick children requiring intravenous canulation for medication administration. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, focused on comparing the effectiveness of two types of catheters: peripheral intravenous catheters and midline catheters.
Peripheral intravenous catheters are short, thin tubes inserted into the upper and lower limbs, while midline catheters are longer alternatives that are inserted into an upper arm vein, with the catheter tip ending just before the axillar or shoulder joint. Professor Amanda Ullman from Griffith’s Centre of Research Excellence in Wiser Wound Care explained that peripheral intravenous catheters frequently fail during treatment, leading to therapy interruption, pain, re-catheterisation, and additional healthcare costs.
The results of the study revealed that midline catheters had significantly fewer failures compared to peripheral intravenous catheters. Out of the children who received a peripheral intravenous catheter, 46% experienced catheter failure, whereas only 16% of children with midline catheters faced failures.
Furthermore, midline catheters were associated with fewer insertion attempts, longer dwell time, and lower healthcare costs. Both patients and parents expressed higher satisfaction with midline catheters. Kleidon emphasised the importance of reducing pain and anxiety in sick children, stating that this study indicates that in the future, hospitalised children are likely to experience fewer needlesticks and receive uninterrupted treatment, leading to timely discharge.
The randomised clinical trial took place from July 2020 to May 2022 and involved 128 patients from the Queensland Children’s Hospital. The participants were between the ages of one to 18 and required peripherally compatible intravenous therapy for at least four days.
In conclusion, the findings of this study provide hope for improving the experience of sick children requiring intravenous canulation for medication administration. The use of midline catheters was found to be more effective in terms of reducing failures, decreasing insertion attempts, prolonging dwell time, and lowering healthcare costs. This research highlights the potential for improved care and outcomes for pediatric patients.
Sources:
– Griffith University PhD student Tricia Kleidon
– Professor Amanda Ullman from Griffith’s Centre of Research Excellence in Wiser Wound Care
– JAMA Pediatrics (journal)
