Study On Preventive Effect Of Dexamethasone Solution To PICC-associated Phlebitis

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is exploring whether Dexamethasone solution can prevent, mitigate, or delay PICC-associated phlebitis by using40ml0.125mg/ml Dexamethasone solution to handle PICC catheter; To explore the impact of patients’ basic data related to PICC so as to provide scientific basis for preventing PICC-associated phlebitis.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted.873hospitalized patients receiving PICC were randomly divided into two groups. The patients of both two groups were inserted PICC by standard procedure. The441patients in the experimental group used40ml0.125mg/ml dexamethasone solution to dip in the catheters. While the432patients in the control group used40ml normal saline to dip in the catheters. The dipping time of both groups is no less than3mins, no more than20mins. Using the standard from Infusion Nursing Society determine and evaluate the phlebitis once per day till7days after inserting the catheter. Compare the incidence of phlebitis, the accuring time of phlebitis and the severity of phlebitis and also other complications. To explore whether Dexamethasone solution can prevent PICC-associated phlebitis or not, and searched for other related factorsResults1. The incidence of phlebitis of experimental group was6.3%, while the incidence of phlebitis of the control group was13.4%, with significant difference (P<0.05). The incidence of Ⅲ and Ⅳ degree phlebitis of experimental are less than those in the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05)2. The median occurrence time of phlebitis of experimental group is49～72hours after inserting the catheter; while the median occurrence time of phlebitis of control group is25～48hours after inserting the catheter (P<0.05).3. With respect to other complications, there were no difference between the experimental group and control group (P>0.05).4. No adverse medical effects have been observed among the patients of both experimental group and control group.5. The inserting method and attemept inserting times have relation with whether the PICC-associated phlebitis will occur or not (P<0.05).Conclusion1. Dipping the catheters in40ml0.125mg/ml dexamethasone solution can reduce the incidence of PICC-associated phlebitis..2. Dipping the catheters in40ml0.125mg/ml dexamethasone solution can delay the coourance of PICC-associated phlebitis.3. There are no manifest impacts on other PICC-associated complications by dipping the catheters in40ml0.125mg/ml dexamethasone solution.4. Using the ultrasound-guided PICC placement and reducing the attemept inserting times can prevent the occurance of the PICC-associated phlebitis.