Randomised controlled trials in peripheral vascular access catheters: a scoping review

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the “gold standard” for evaluating effectiveness of interventions, as they provide the most reliable evidence with minimal bias compared to other study designs. However, if the number and quality of RCTs are poor, studies may give inconsistent results and small effect sizes, creating difficulties in generalising the findings to a broader population. This scoping review investigated the current evidence for the insertion and management of peripheral vascular devices, including intravenous, midline, and arterial catheters. We searched Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2015. The final review included 128 RCTs (94 peripheral intravenous catheters, 2 midline catheters, and 32 arterial catheters). Catheter insertion strategies and analgesia methods have been comprehensively studied, particularly for peripheral intravenous catheters, but more RCTs are needed to address post-insertion care and maintenance, including dressings and securement, flushing practices and infection prevention strategies such as skin preparation and hub decontamination. This peripheral vascular catheter scoping review will enable clinicians and researchers to identify the gaps in evidence and prioritise areas needing further research.Griffith Health, Menzies Health InstituteFull Tex