Einstein (São Paulo) (Dec 2008)
Occurrence of phlebitis in patients on intravenous amiodarone
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the occurrence of phlebitis in patientsgiven amiodarone through a peripheral venous access, and todescribe nursing interventions in patients with phlebitis following theuse of this medication. Methods: A descriptive exploratory crosssectionalquantitative study was undertaken. Data were gatheredfrom the files of patients of a cardiology intensive care unit in a generalhospital. Results: Forty patients aged from 51 to 90 years, admittedinto a cardiology intensive therapy unit, were included. Fifty-fivepercent of these patients presented phlebitis. Intrinsic factors suchas age over 65 years (14.9%) and poor condition of veins (3.5%) werenoted. Intrinsic factors included drug administration issues (13.9%)and lack of compliance to institutional protocols by nurses (7.8%).Conclusions: most patients who were given intravenous amiodaroneat the Institution developed phlebitis. Intrinsic factors identifiedwere patient age and vein status, and the extrinsic factors weredrug administration methods and lack of compliance to institutionalprotocol by nurses.
