Insertion and Management of Peripheral Intravenous Cannulae in Healthcare Facilities Policy
MP 0038/16 - Insertion and Management of Peripheral Intravenous Cannulae in Healthcare Facilities Policy (pdf 136KB)
Applicable to: This policy is applicable to the following Health Service Providers: North Metropolitan Health Service, South Metropolitan Health Service, East Metropolitan Health Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service and WA Country Health Service.
Description: The Insertion and Management of Peripheral Intravenous Cannulae in Healthcare Facilities Policy (the policy) describes the mandatory requirements to minimise the risk of infection to patients associated with the insertion of peripheral intravenous cannulae (PIVC). The policy ensures there is a standardised approach to the insertion and management of PIVCs and removes variation in practice across Western Australian healthcare facilities.
The policy supports the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard for health organisations to develop and implement systems for the use and management of invasive devices.
PIVCs provide direct access to the patient’s bloodstream and therefore pose a serious risk for infection from microorganisms introduced either at the time of insertion or while the cannula is in situ. PIVC-related infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and additional healthcare costs. Infections associated with PIVCs are considered preventable adverse events.
Data collected from Healthcare Infection Surveillance Western Australia (HISWA) shows most healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (HA-SABSIs) result from intravascular devices (IVDs), with a large percentage of these attributable to PIVCs. This finding is despite the availability of local Health Service Provider clinical practice standards, policies and guidelines.
This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Public Health Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016.
This policy should be read in conjunction with:
Date of effect: 11 October 2022
Policy Framework
Public Health
Insertion-and-Management-of-Peripheral-Intravenous-Cannulae-in-Healthcare-Facilities-Guideline (pdf 710KB)
Communicable Disease Control Directorate: Guideline for investigating and reporting healthcare associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections
Healthcare Infection Surveillance of Western Australia (HISWA) (version 9, September 2024): Department of Health, Western Australia
National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards (second edition). Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)
Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard. National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC) (2021)