Clinically indicated removal versus routine removal of peripheral venous catheters.
Charles KR et al., 2026 · 14 studies included
Summary
Fourteen randomized trials, 11,428 participants, mainly adult acute-hospital patients with peripheral venous catheters.
Conclusion
Bloodstream-infection events were rare and estimates imprecise (catheter-related infection RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.08–4.68; low certainty). Routine replacement may modestly reduce per-patient infiltration/occlusion, while clinically indicated removal reduces device use/cost. Use site surveillance and local policy; these results do not cover central lines or justify retaining an infected catheter.