Reasons for non-elective removal of epicutaneous catheters in neonates

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the incidence and reasons for nonelective removal of epicutaneous catheters in neonates, identifying its association with the catheter insertion site. This was a prospective cohort study, conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit of a private tertiary hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. We analyzed 266 epicutaneous catheter insertions. The incidence of non-elective removal was 39.1%. The most frequent post-insertion complications were suspicion of catheter-related bloodstream infection (25%) and rupture (23.1%). Most catheters were inserted through the right side of the body (65%), in upper limbs (77.1%), and using the axillary veins (31.2%). The findings did not suggest association between the incidence of non-elective removal and the insertion site of the epicutaneous catheter in neonates. Nurses should implement strategies to improve care and decrease incidence of non-elective epicutaneous catheter removals among neonates.