Continuous infusion versus intermittent flushing: maintaining peripheral intravenous access in newborn infants

Objective:to compare the patency duration of a peripheral intravenous cannula (pivc) using either continuous infusion with 5% dextrose or intermittent flushing with 0.9% saline.study design:prospective comparative cohort study, including full-term newborn infants in whom pivc were placed for the administration of antibiotics. in cohort 1 (n=48), 5% dextrose was infused at 3 ml h−1; in cohort 2 (n=50), the cannula was flushed six times daily with 2 ml 0.9% saline. primary outcome was the duration of pivc patency. secondary outcomes included the occurrence of complications, time required by the nursing staff and the cost of materials.result:duration of pivc patency was similar. however, significantly, more complications occurred in cohort 1 (p=0.02), and both cost and time were significantly lower in cohort 2 (p=0.001).conclusion:intermittent flushing and continuous infusion provide a similar duration of pivc patency; however, intermittent flushing is associated with fewer complications, lower cost and reduced time.