Investigation of the Impact of Catheter Placement in the Hand on Catheter Lifespan inHospitalized Patients

Introduction: Venous access is one of the most common care procedures for hospitalized patients, typicallyperformed by nurses. The lifespan of a catheter is influenced by various factors. Among them, the principlesrelated to the selection of the appropriate vein and its anatomical placement are of particular importance. Despitethe significance of the anatomical location of the catheter, there is limited conclusive evidence regarding therelationship between the anatomical location of the catheter and its lifespan. Therefore, this study aimed toinvestigate the impact of catheter placement on patient outcomes and catheter lifespan.Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in ۲۰۲۲ at four teaching hospitals in Arak City (centralIran). Patients meeting the study criteria, including normal skin condition, absence of coagulopathy, no receiptof chemotherapy drugs, Phenytoin, and calcium gluconate, were enrolled. The catheters placed in Intermediate(median) Basilic (cubital) vein, Cephalic vein, Intermediate antebrachial vein, and Dorsal metacarpal vein werefollowed for ۷۲ hours. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, utilizing descriptive and analyticalstatistical tests.Results: A total of ۲۹۹ patients were included in the evaluation, with ۵۳.۸% being male. The results showed asignificant difference in catheter lifespan based on anatomical location, with patients who had catheters placedin the Intermediate (median) Basilic (cubital) vein more likely to require replacement within the first ۱۲ hoursof catheter insertion. Additionally, the catheter removal rate in this area was higher.Conclusion: Our study results demonstrate a significant difference in catheter lifespan based on the placementlocation. Patients with catheters placed in the (cubital) vein were more likely to require reinsertion. Despite theeasy access to this vein, its long-term use for catheter insertion faces limitations