Annals of emergency medicine
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Our study aims to determine the incidence of unused peripheral intravenous cannulas inserted in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ There is a high incidence of unused peripheral intravenous cannulas inserted in the ED. The risk of having an unused peripheral intravenous cannula is associated with the patient's presenting complaint. Efforts should be directed to reduce this rate of unused peripheral intravenous cannula insertion, especially in patients being admitted, to minimize the risk of complications.