what are the odds or how often do people get phlebitis from iv in the hand?

Question

wondering how common it is for a person to get Phlebitis, cellulitis, and traumatic thrombosed vein from the way a nurse did an iv ?

Answer 1

In my experience, it happens occasionally, but not often. Phlebitis is the inflammation of the vein (red, swelling, pain, cordlike vein) but this often resolves on it's own with removal of the IV catheter.

Cellulitis is an inflammation of the tissues, the vast majority of cases are caused by streptococcus pyogenes or staphylococcus aureus. This infection causes pain, swelling, warmth, fever, malaise and generally does require antibiotics.

A thrombosed vein happens generally when the nurse cannot get a good vein, the vein is punctured but the catheter doesn't advance or the vein rolls, or we hit a valve and are unable to advance the catheter. Or the IV is in and the vein "blows" causing it to infiltrate (IV solution to be infused into the tissues instead of into the vein). This happens on those with fragile veins, the elderly, or just randomly for no apparent reason. All we do is apply pressure, the vein stops bleeding into the tissues and clots off. There is generally a purple-red bruise or knot that heals fairly rapidly.

All unfortunate side effects of IV therapy, but generally when someone needs an IV, the benefits of receiving said therapy are greater than the slim chances of transient damage to the vein or surrounding tissues. A good RN assesses all IV sites and makes sure they are flushing properly at least once per shift, replacing them when necessary or according to hospital protocol (usually every 72 hrs).

And re: other comments, generally nurses place their own IVs, if we have a particularly hard stick the anesthesiologist does it. To my knowledge phlebotomists and CNAs do not have the training to place IVs.

Answer 2

people can get phlebitis more commonly from having a cannula left in the vein fot longer than 48 hours if not being used for iv medication. It is rarely caused by the medical profession inserting it and it is more often that a doctor will insert one than a nurse.
Cellulitis can occur if there is phlebitis and the cannula has not been removed immediately, however once the canula has been removed the phlebitis can heal very quickly if kept clean.
A blown vein can occur very commonly, not because the medical professional is clumsy but because some peoples veins are difficult to see are wobberly or very thin especially in the elderly and the young. Hope this answers your question!

Answer 3

Fortunately it is not very common, but don't blame the nurse. Most infections of this type common from bacteria that normally live on your skin, usually staph. Disinfectants and aseptic technique cannot reduce the risk of infection to zero. Veins are not designed to have little tubes shoved in them. The normal responses to injury can trigger clotting of the vein. The catheter itself provides an avenue for bacteria to migrate from your skin into the clot.

Answer 4

I would think it'd be really easy. All you have to do is not wash your hands or use dirty gloves or materials around the injection site. It probably wasn't a nurse, most likely a cna or a phlebotomist. Hospital acquired infections are really quite common.