Assistant Professor of Equine Internal Medicine North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Durham, North Carolina, United States
Abstract: Background- Complications of intravenous catheters (IVC) are common in hospitalized horses, but specific risk factors associated with placement have not previously been investigated. Specifically, the impact of veterinary student involvement on the likelihood of complications has not been evaluated in horses. Objectives- To investigate factors of IVC placement, including the role of individuals involved that may lead to complications such as thrombophlebitis and subcutaneous inflammation and infection. Animals- 255 IVC placed in hospitalized adult horses over a 9-month period at a teaching hospital Methods- Data were collected from the electronic medical record for all horses in which an IVC was placed including the role of the individual that prepared the site and placed the IVC, site of placement, use of sedation, disease category of patient, type of catheter, reason for removal, and presence of complications at time of removal. Data were evaluated retrospectively. Univariate analyses were performed using Fisher’s exact test. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results/Findings- 41/255 (16.1%) of IVC were associated with a complication at the time of IVC removal. The relative risk of complications associated with IVCs placed by veterinary students was not significantly different to the relative risk when compared to IVCs placed by non-student personnel (p=0.35). Conclusions and Clinical Importance- Client perception of student involvement in procedures may affect referral decisions to veterinary teaching hospitals. The data here shows that student involvement in IVC placement does not increase the risk of complications and can be utilized to encourage client support of student involvement.
