An examination of how nurses’ use of the Broselow tape affects patient safety during peripheral intravenous catheterization

Abstract

Background

Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion is one of the most common procedures in pediatric emergency departments. Inappropriate placement of a peripheral intravenous catheter and the associated management can lead to patient harm, which is considered a patient safety issue. The patient’s safety could be compromised if a peripheral intravenous catheter is not properly placed and managed.

Purpose

This study was conducted to examine how nurses’ use of the Broselow tape affects patient safety during peripheral intravenous catheterization.

Materials and methods

In this study, the selection of peripheral intravenous catheters was based on a randomized controlled trial. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the registration number NCT06165003. Using the Stepped Wedge design, data from the control group were collected first, followed by data from the experimental group. The two groups were compared on a variety of criteria, including the number of attempts, extravasation, accidental dislodgement, dwell time of catheter, and reasons for removal of catheter.

Results

The study found no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of “the nurses’ success in performing the procedure” and “catheter dwell time” during peripheral intravenous catheterization. The patients’ estimated weights in the experimental group were found to be consistent with both the Broselow tape estimates and parents’ weight estimates.

Conclusions

The study indicates that using the Broselow tape for cannula selection during peripheral intravenous catheterization could serve as a novel alternative method.