Repeated cannulation of children during the course of treatment is distressing for the
child, their family and to their nurses. Some paediatric units endeavour to minimise recannulation
by employing strategies to reduce complications such as phlebitis and
thrombosis formation. One strategy is to infuse low dose heparin and hydrocortisone
(HEPHC). However, its effectiveness in prolonging cannula survival is inconclusive.
There is also concern about the potential risks of administering these preparations to
children.
A randomised, controlled, blinded trial was conducted that examined the effectiveness
of continuous infusion of low dose HEPHC in a group of children requiring long term
intravenous antibiotics in a general paediatric unit. Comparisons of cannula
complications and cannulae survival times were made in children receiving either
continuous infusions of clear fluids or low dose HEPHC.
The results demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference (Logrank
statistic=l.l, p=0.3) in cannula survival times between the two groups. It was also
found that the bacterial and fungal colonisation of cannula for these children was
extremely low. Based on these findings it is recommended that routine administration
of low dose HEPHC to extend cannula survival time be discontinued. The findings
also support current practice of removing cannula in children only when a complication
occurs on completion of treatment.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218614 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Milbourne, Katrina Jane, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Health Sciences |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Katrina Jane Milbourne |
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