Infiltration or extravasation occurs when the solution from an intravenous (IV) infusion inadvertently leaks outside the intended vascular pathway, causing a range of effects that could include swelling, phlebitis, cytotoxicity, compartment syndrome, and necrosis. If the solution is nonvesicant, the diagnosis is infiltration; if the solution is vesicant, the diagnosis is extravasation. IV infiltration is a widespread problem, occurring in 10.4% of all hospitalized patients. 1 Pediatric patients compose 28% of these cases, 33% of which involve children under 1 year of age. 2 The current standard-of-care protocols for monitoring vascular access devices (VADs) involve nurses periodically assessing for symptoms of infiltration and extravasation, including swelling and change in temperature at the VAD site.
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