Quality Care of Peripheral IV-line Insertion and Its Impact on Patient Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background:Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are widely used in hospitalized patients, yet they are often associated with complications due to suboptimal insertion and maintenance practices. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of PIVC care and its impact on patient outcomes in tertiary hospitals in Pakistan. Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over three months in the medical wards of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar and Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi. Data were collected from 280 patients using a validated semi-structured questionnaire targeting nurse practices, patient education, and procedural adherence. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests, assessed associations between practice variables and clinical outcomes. Results:The results of the participants, 60% were female and the mean age was 48.1 ± 19.5 years. Nurses inserted 93.6% of PIVCs. Although 78.6% obtained informed consent, only 60.7% adequately explained the procedure. Aseptic technique was followed in 82.9% of cases, and appropriate cannula size and site were pre-assessed in 89.3%. However, 75.7% of patients were not assessed 48 hours post-removal. First-attempt cannulation success was significantly associated with appropriate site and size selection (p<0.05) and the inserter’s role (p=0.03). Conclusion:While basic guidelines for PIVC insertion were often followed, gaps in patient communication, documentation, and post-removal assessment persist. Improving nurse training and institutional protocols may reduce complications and improve vascular access outcomes.