American journal of hospital pharmacy
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Comparative Study
Effect of inline filtration of intravenous infusions on the incidence of thrombophlebitis.
The effect of inline filtration on the incidence of infusion phlebitis was examined in a community hospital. Two general surgical units, comparable in their patient populations, were studied during a one-month period. On one unit, an extension set with a 45 micrometer filter was attached to every i.v. catheter; no inline filtration was instituted on the second unit. ⋯ None of these differences was significant (p = 0.05). There was also no significant difference between the two groups in the severity of phlebitis and the incidence of phlebitis following the administration of irritating solutions containing cephalothin sodium or potassium chloride. Based on this study, the value of inline filtration in routine clinical conditions appears to be questionable.