The goal of this clinical trial is to compare a chlorhexidine impregnated dressing for peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) to the standard dressing currently used in general medical and surgical inpatient wards.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Study Feasibility
* Occurrence of infectious complications related to the PIVC
Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either of the below dressings to cover and secure their PIVC:
* The standard dressing used at their hospital, or
* The intervention dressing which has Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) on it
Researchers will compare standard and CHG dressings to see if the presence of CHG improves the occurrence of infectious complications related to the PIVC.
Who can participate
Age range
6 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* PIVC to be inserted with expected dwell \>48 hours
* Provided written and informed consent (patient or carer)
Australia only
• ≥6 years of age (due to size of dressing)
France only
• ≥18 years of age
Exclusion Criteria:
* Burned, non-intact or scarred skin at the insertion site
* Known allergy to CHG or transparent dressing adhesives
* Palliative care patients on end-of-life pathway
* Patient who has already participated in the study
* Placement of a PIVC in an emergency, that does not allow the usual rules of hygiene for insertion to be adhered to.
Additional exclusions to Australian study only
* Non-English-speaking patients without interpreter
* Under the care of Child and Family Services and unable to gain consent from case worker (paediatric patients)
Additional exclusions to French study only
* Patients not benefiting from the French Social Security scheme or not benefiting from it through a third party,
* Persons benefiting from enhanced protection, namely minors, persons deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision, adults under legal protection.
* Known pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Predictably difficult vascular access (IV drug addiction, obesity)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial tested a novel antimicrobial dressing on peripheral IV catheters — do you know what specific dressing was used, and is it something that could be used during my own IV care right now?
2Since this was a feasibility study rather than a full randomized controlled trial, what does that mean for how confident we can be in the results about reducing infections and phlebitis at the catheter site?
3The trial has already been completed — has the data been published or reviewed yet, and would the findings change anything about how my IV catheter dressings are managed?
4Given that catheter-related infections and phlebitis were the main things being measured, how significant a risk are those complications for someone in my situation, and what precautions are already standard practice?
5Are there any larger follow-up trials planned based on these results that I might be eligible to participate in, or are there other active studies on IV catheter infection prevention worth discussing?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Feasibility for a definitive RCT
Timeframe: On completion of 300 participants
2
Catheter-related infectious complications and phlebitis
Timeframe: Daily until 48hours after study PIVC is removed.