Care Technology Prototype for Flushing Practice in Intravenous Catheter Maintenance

Abstract

Objective: to elaborate, based on the assessment of the nursing team’s flushing practice, a care technology prototype aimed at promoting good practices in intravenous catheter maintenance in intensive care. Method: a technology elaboration study, developed in three stages: flushing practice assessment through a questionnaire completed by 108 nursing professionals working in intravenous catheter maintenance in intensive care settings of a public hospital located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data collection took place from November 2019 to January 2020, with descriptive and inferential data analysis; analysis of this practice regarding the existence of errors according to the main guidelines and scientific evidence, with classification of types of errors in the light of the conceptual framework of patient safety; and technology prototype development. Results: 88% of participants perform flushing in their practice; 49.5% apply the continuous pressure technique on the syringe plunger; 22% perform flushing before, between and after medication administration; predominance of use of volume and syringes with gauges of 5 ml and 10 ml. Variables related to knowledge were associated with not performing flushing. There were active and latent errors that guided the technology prototype construction. Conclusion: a care guide was built that aims to increase nursing team’s knowledge about good flushing practices and is configured as a barrier to error recurrence.