Cannula complications using elastomeric infusers in Hospital in the Home

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of the short peripheral cannula (SPC) complication rate of patients with cellulitis receiving IV cefazolin via an elastomeric infuser with those receiving twice-daily bolus treatment (control group) in the Hospital in the Home service. METHODS: A randomized controlled study using elastomeric infuser versus bolus delivery of IV cefazolin via an SPC of patients referred to the Hospital in the Home service in the Northern Illawarra for treatment of cellulitis. A total of 104 patients were enrolled during the time period of May 2018 to January 2019. Primary outcome measures were SPC complications including phlebitis with a secondary outcome of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients enrolled. After randomization there were 60 in the infuser group and 44 in the bolus group. Patient characteristics of age, gender, weight and mobility were similar for the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for the endpoint of cannula complication rates. Patient satisfaction scores showed patient acceptance of both forms of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that using elastomeric infusers to deliver cefazolin via a short peripheral IV catheter has similar complication rates to traditional bolus delivery. Patients surveyed showed high levels of satisfaction with both forms of antibiotic delivery.