Abstract
Background: Peripheral intravenous (IV) line infections are a prevalent avoidable consequence in emergency healthcare settings, leading to patient, longer hospital stays, and higher expenses. Nursing practices have an important role in infection prevention, particularly in high risk settings.
Objectives: Prospectively observe the occurrence of peripheral IV line associated I infections investigate the correlation between nursing practice and infection rates in emergency departments.
Materials and Methods: A prospective observational research was carried out from January to June 2025 at three tertiary hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan. A validated 17 items questionnaires was administered to 138 patients to measure compliance infection control techniques such as hand cleanliness, aseptic technique, gloves usage, and record keeping. Data was examined via SPSS version 30.
Results: Visible IV site infections occurred in 18.85 patients, with 25.4% reporting pain and edema, indicating a moderate burden of IV problems. Gloves usage (94.2%) and hand cleaning before to insertion (92.8%) has the highest compliance rates, but patient’s education (72.5%) and documentation (75.4%) were less frequently performed. Mean score confirmed this trends, with gloves use averaging .93 and infection indictors lowest at 0.19. Aseptic method (X2=8.76, p=0.003) and glove use (X2=5.12, p=0.024) were significantly associated with infection presence, according to chi square analysis. Hand hygiene was borderline significant (P=0.064), but patients education was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Adherence to proper glove use and aseptic technique greatly IV associated illness. To improve infection control, healthcare organizations should emphasize training, maintain correct documentation, perform compliance audits, and include patient education into standard nursing routine practice.