Final inline filtration for intravenous infusions: A prospective hospital study

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Abstract
Phlebitis is the most common complication of intravenous therapy affecting more than 50 per cent of infusions. Particles in or added to infusions have been implicated, hence a filter with pore size of 0.2/ μm containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements (Pall Biomedical) has been evaluated. All infusions of likely duration greater than 48 h, set up in a 2‐month period at this hospital, were randomized to filter or identical dummy. The endpoints and statistical power of the study were determined at the outset. Of the 226 infusions randomized, 32 failed within 24 h and were excluded leaving 194 of whom 93 had dummy and 101 filter. Only 38 infusions with dummy survived until no longer required compared to 63 infusions with filter (χ2 = 7.68, P < 0.01). Analysed by life table, the trend for filtered infusions to survive longer failed to achieve statistical significance, but inline filtration prolonged the phlebitis‐free survival of infusions (P < 0.01). These benefits were most marked in the 49 infusions where antibiotics were administered via the drip site. Inline filtration delays the onset of phlebitis, thus more infusions survive until they are no longer required. This effect is not sufficiently strong to institute an overall hospital policy but filters may be indicated in patients requiring intravenous antibiotics.