Clinically indicated and routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters did not differ for catheter failureCommentary

J Webster Ms J Webster, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia; joan_webster@health.qld.gov.au In hospital inpatients, is clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters better than routine replacement for catheter failure due to phlebitis or infiltration? ### Design: randomised controlled trial (RCT). ### Allocation: concealed. ### Blinding: {unblinded}.* ### Follow-up period: up to 5 consecutive catheters for each patient. ### Setting: general tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia. ### Patients: 755 medical and surgical inpatients ⩾18 years of age (mean age 59 y, 64% men) who were expected to have a peripheral venous catheter for ⩾4 days. Exclusion criteria were bacteraemia or current immunosuppressive therapy. ### Intervention: 379 patients were allocated to catheter replacement only when clinically indicated and 376 to routine catheter replacement every 3 …