Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters For Outpatient Intravenous Antibiotic-Therapy

Because of its advantages in maintaining venous access, the peripherally inserted central venous catheter was studied in an outpatient setting. One hundred forty-three patients were selected for the placement of 2.8 and 3.8 French silastic catheters by an intravenous therapy nurse in an infectious diseases practice. Placements were successful in 137 patients. Lines were used for 5-120 days (average of 29.9 days). The phlebitis that occurred in 10% of cases correlated with the experience of the person inserting the catheter and correlated inversely with the size of catheter. Only three catheters had to be removed because of phlebitis, and none of those were infected. In conclusion, peripherally inserted central venous catheters offer a useful, convenient, and safe alternative to peripheral lines in outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy.