VISUAL INFUSION PHLEBITIS (VIP) SCORE FOR ASSESSING VENFLON-RELATED COMPLICATIONS: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Peripheral vein cannulation is essential in clinical care but often results in complications like phlebitis, which can lead to severe outcomes such as cellulitis, septicemia, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This study evaluates venflon-related complications using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) score. Aim: To analyse the incidence of phlebitis and assess the VIP scores utility in detecting early-stage complications. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 1,083 patients over one year (September 2023–August 2024) at Thanjavur Medical College,Thanjavur,Tamilnadu,India.VIP scores were used to monitor signs of phlebitis. Results: Out of 1,083 venflon insertions, 744 (68.7%) cases of phlebitis were recorded, with females showing a higher incidence (71.8%) compared to males (64%). Most cases had a VIP score of 1, representing mild symptoms. Conclusion: Regular monitoring using VIP scores and adherence to preventive measures significantly reduces venflon-related complications.