Analysis of infusion phlebitis frequency in amiodarone treatment which is applied by changing the infusion site once in 12 hours

32^nd Euro Nursing and Medicare Summit

October 26-28, 2017 | Paris, France

Yasemin Kalkan Ugurlu and Nuray Enc

Istanbul University, Turkey

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: Amiodarone is used frequently to treat emergency patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Although intravenous amiodarone treatment has many complications, previous studies found that infusion phlebitis was the most widely observed complication. Thrombophlebitis usually occurs when high doses of amiodarone are infused over a long period in peripheral veins. Thus, to avoid this side effect, the drug shouldn�¢����t be administered in a peripheral vein for a long period. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of infusion site change once in 12 hours in peripheral intravenous amiodarone treatment upon the occurrence of infusion phlebitis. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: This prospective research study has been carried out with 30 patients, who are matching the criteria of participation in the study. The study has been carried out with face to face interview and with observational method. The data which were necessary to be taken from the unconscious patients were obtained from their files and relatives. Findings: It has been observed that phlebitis grew in 30% of their peripheral venous catheter, however phlebitis did not grow in 70% of them, phlebitis grew in the 7th hour in the first catheter, and it grew in the 9th hour in the second catheter. In addition, it has been determined that 22-gauge peripheral venous catheter size is significantly influential (p<0.01) in the phlebitis growth. Significance: Thrombophlebitis usually occurs when amiodarone is infused over a long period in peripheral veins. For recommendation, it can be mentioned that changing the first infusion site of the patient who started amiodarone treatment without going beyond the 7th hour after the infusion started, and changing the 2nd infusion site without going beyond the 9th hour would provide benefit in terms of preventing phlebitis growth.

Biography :

Yasemin Kalkan Ugurlu worked as a Nurse in Coronary Intensive Care Unit for 3 years. Her Master’s Thesis was about phlebitis/thrombophlebitis due to amiodarone treatment. She is currently continuing her Doctoral studies in the Istanbul University Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Medical Nursing Department.