The I-DECIDED® tool on documentation of the assessment of peripheral intravenous catheter in paediatrics: an interrupted time series study.

BACKGROUND

Proper documentation of peripheral intravenous catheter assessment and care is essential for improving outcomes related to its use. However, adherence to peripheral intravenous catheter documentation remains low, despite nursing documentation being essential for continuity of care, timely identification of complications and safe clinical decision-making.

AIM: To determine the impact of the I-DECIDED® tool on nursing staff documentation of peripheral intravenous catheter assessment in a paediatric inpatient unit and to assess its impact across different nursing roles.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental interrupted time series study. The sample included 810 peripheral intravenous catheters documentation observations (405 pre- and 405 post-intervention) performed by 27 nursing staff. Data were collected at six points: three pre- and three post-intervention. Data were analysed using the Generalised Estimating Equations model.

RESULTS

After the use of the I-DECIDED® tool, compliance with peripheral intravenous catheter assessment documentation significantly improved in six of the eight evaluated items overall (p < 0.05), with notable increases in device need, effective function and complications, all with p < 0.001. Documentation reliability by nursing staff, assessed by comparing their records with researcher observations, improved significantly, from 42.9% to 75.4% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The I-DECIDED® tool increased both the compliance and reliability of nursing documentation related to peripheral intravenous catheter assessment. However, challenges remain regarding full adherence to all tool items, especially among nursing technicians/assistants.