Factors associated with idle peripheral intravenous catheters: a point-prevalence study using the Donabedian model

This study aimed to determine the point prevalence of idle peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) and identify associated factors using the Donabedian framework (structure, process, outcome) in a tertiary care setting. Among patients with PIVC (n = 118), 35 (29.7%) had an idle catheter. Documentation gaps were evident: only 67.8% had a clear indication for continued use, and only 22.9% had a documented removal plan. Precautionary “just-in-case” placement (28.0% of PIVCs) was strongly associated with idle status (adjusted OR 7.76, 95% CI 2.02–29.78, p = 0.003). Conversely, having a documented indication for continued use was associated with lower odds of idleness (adjusted OR 0.037, 95% CI 0.010–0.136, p < 0.001). These findings highlight critical and modifiable process failures within the Donabedian framework. While the cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions, these associations suggest that interventions should focus on enforcing documentation protocols, reducing precautionary insertions, and implementing standardized removal pathways to enhance patient safety and resource utilization.