Introduction: Peripheral intravenous catheters (PICs) patency techniques such as flushing are being developed. According to some studies, flushing can be used continuously or in pulsatile forms. This study aimed to compare the effects of pulsatile flushing (PF) and continuous flushing (CF) on time and type of PICs patency. Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 71 patients were randomly assigned into two groups of PF (n=35) and CF (n=36). The PF protocol was performed as successive injections of 1 mL normal saline (N/S) per second (sec) with a delay of less than 1 sec until the completion of 5 mL of solution. However, CF protocol was performed by injecting 5 mL N/S within 5 sec without any delay before and after each medicine administration. Data related to the time and type of PICs patency were collected using a patency checklist every 12 hours (h) up to 96 h. The statistical analysis was done by R statistical software (Version 3.5.1). Results: The results showed that the number of PICs remaining open was not significantly different between PF and CF groups during 96 h. The highest number of PICs excluded from the study was related to the time of 96 h as a result of partial patency in the two groups. Conclusion: There was no difference between CF and PF regarding the time and type of PICs patency. Thus, both techniques can be used to maintain the catheter patency.

Background and Aim: Thrombophlebitis is considered as a major cause of peripheral intravenous catheters (PICs) failure. The flushing technique in the laboratory has been effective in clearing the catheter duct, but its effectiveness in the clinical setting is unknown, therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of pulsatile flushing on phlebitis, type, and duration of PICs patency in patients. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 71 patients admitted to the inpatient and surgical wards of Imam Khomeini Esfarayen Hospital were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups after sampling by available methods. In the intervention group, the flushing technique was performed by injecting 1 ml of the normal saline solution for one second, then interrupting less than one second and repeating the injection and interrupting until the end of 5 ml of the solution. The Consequences of this study were phlebitis, duration, and type of PICs patency, which were evaluated every 12 hours by using Jackson's phlebitis instrument and direct observation of the catheter. Results: The incidence of phlebitis in the intervention group was lower than the control group (P<0.001). In addition, two groups had a statistically significant difference in the type of PICs (P<0.001). The median duration of PICs patency in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Pulsatile flushing is an effective technique to increase longevity of PICs and recommended as a practical method in clinical setting.