Risk factors associated with the occurrence of the adverse event phlebitis in hospitalized adult patients

ABSTRACT Objectives: to synthesize knowledge regarding risk factors associated with occurrence of adverse event phlebitis in hospitalized adult patients. Methods: an integrative literature review, carried out in the CINAHL, PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The stages were carried out independently by two reviewers, and the data were analyzed descriptively. Results: from the analysis of 31 quantitative primary studies, the following risk factors were summarized: length of stay; use of antibiotics; peripheral intravenous catheter dwell time; receive less nursing care; catheter inserted multiple times; patients with infection and comorbidities; presence of pain at catheter insertion site; Teflon® catheter use; reduced patient mobility; quality of patient’s vein; skin elasticity; unsuccessful insertion. Conclusions: it is necessary to standardize the format for measuring occurrence of this adverse event and develop new studies with a higher level of evidence.