Description of the study population at the time of collection by direct venous puncture and peripheral venous catheter (n=272)
| Variable | n | Per cent | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | |||
| ≥65 | 220 | 80.9 | (75.8 to 85.1) |
| Sex | |||
| Male | 143 | 52.6 | (46.6 to 58.4) |
| Diagnosis | |||
| Cardiorespiratory | 109 | 40.1 | (34.3 to 46.0) |
| Cerebrovascular | 14 | 5.1 | (3.1 to 8.5) |
| Gastrointestinal | 68 | 25.0 | (20.2 to 30.5) |
| Genitourinary | 28 | 10.3 | (7.2 to 14.5) |
| Osteomuscular | 29 | 10.7 | (7.5 to 14.9) |
| Other | 24 | 8.8 | (6.0 to 12.8) |
| Vein location for DVP | |||
| Hand | 2 | 0.7 | (0.2 to 2.6) |
| Wrist | 4 | 1.5 | (0.6 to 3.7) |
| Forearm | 6 | 2.2 | (1.0 to 4.7) |
| Inner arm | 260 | 95.6 | (92.4 to 97.5) |
| Location of the PVC | |||
| Hand | 17 | 6.3 | (3.9 to to 9.8) |
| Wrist | 68 | 25.0 | (20.2 to 30.5) |
| Forearm | 66 | 24.3 | (19.6 to 29.7) |
| Inner arm | 121 | 44.5 | (38.7 to 50.4) |
| PVC calibre (gauges) | |||
| 16 | 2 | 0.7 | (0.2 to 2.6) |
| 18 | 50 | 18.4 | (14.2 to 23.4) |
| 20 | 202 | 74.3 | (68.8 to 79.1) |
| 22 | 18 | 6.6 | (4.2 to 10.2) |
| Saline syringe | |||
| No | 223 | 82.0 | (77.0 to 86.1) |
| Intravenous fluid therapy* | 192 | 70.6 | (64.9 to 75.7) |
| Saline solution | 85 | 31.3 | (26.0 to 37.0) |
| 5% Glucose solution | 45 | 16.5 | (12.6 to 21.4) |
| Glucosaline solution | 94 | 34.6 | (29.2 to 40.4) |
| Isoplasmal | 9 | 3.3 | (1.8 to 6.2) |
| Ringer's | 1 | 0.4 | (0.1 to 2.1) |
| Medication* | |||
| Perfusion | 24 | 8.8 | (6.0 to 12.8) |
| Intermittent | 118 | 43.4 | (37.6 to 49.3) |
| Haemolysis during DVP collection | |||
| Yes | 0 | 0.0 | (0.0 to 1.4) |
| Haemolysis during PVC collection | |||
| Yes | 10 | 3.7 | (2.0 to 6.6) |
| Clotted blood during DVP collection | |||
| Yes | 2 | 0.7 | (0.2 to 2.6) |
| Clotted blood during PVC collection | |||
| Yes | 1 | 0.4 | (0.1 to 2.1) |
*Non-exclusive categories.
DVP, direct venous puncture; PVC, peripheral venous catheter.