Implementation of intravenous drip infusion therapy with peripheral venous catheters and the incidence of related complications in home-based medical care settings in Japan

Background/Aims: Home-based medical care is rapidly expanding in Japanese health care settings. We aimed to clarify the implementation status of drip injection with peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) and the incidence of related complications. Methods: We investigated the number of patients who required intravenous drip infusion therapy at home. We also examined the incidence rate of PVC-related complications and their statistical correlation with patients' characteristics. Results: Of 139 patients, 30 (21.6%) received intravenous drip infusion therapy through PVCs at home. Patients' activities of daily living (bed-ridden) and the presence of underlying disease (terminal cancer) were significantly correlated with the requirement for drip infusion therapy (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). A high incidence of PVC-related complications (75%: 15 out of 20 patients) was observed. More than 50% of patients experienced multiple needling due to difficulty in securing venous access. Conclusions: This is the first report to reveal the relatively high incidence of PVC-related complications in home-based medical care settings. Safer vascular devises should be incorporated for more stable intervention.