Peripheral intravenous catheter policies and procedures across Queensland: a document review and analysis of underpinning evidence and alignment with clinical standards

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) policies across Queensland public health services, their underpinning evidence, and alignment with the 2021 Australian PIVC Clinical Care Standard. METHODS: A document review and analysis of public state and health service PIVC policies, procedures, and guidelines across Queensland was performed. Data were extracted using standardised forms, collated, reviewed, and compared for each health service and the state overall. Document characteristics and underpinning evidence (e.g. references, supporting resources, alignment with the 10 PIVC Standard Quality Statements) were analysed descriptively. Binary adherence (yes adherent, no not adherent, other) was assessed for the 10 PIVC Standard Quality Statements. RESULTS: Documents included 17 health service procedures, one protocol, and one statewide guideline (total n = 19), released between 2015 and 2024. Most were PIVC-specific (90%), and four had exceeded their planned update timepoint. Three had no references, but had supporting resources described, whereas one document had both. One provided neither references nor supporting resources. All documents had hyperlinks to other internal and/or external resources. Of 15 released after Standard publication (post-2021), 13 (86.7%) referred to the Standard. No individual document adhered to all 10 Standard Quality Statements. None of the Quality Statements were met by all documents (adherence range 0-95%). CONCLUSIONS: Many PIVC policies lacked a strong evidence framework and did not align with the minimum level of care expected in Australia. This likely impacts the quality of clinical care and patient outcomes. There is an urgent need for rationalisation and system-wide standardisation of policies to reduce variation and ensure clinical standards are met.