Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation in Obstetric Patients: comparing dorsum of the hand vein with lower forearm vein
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN62901900 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN62901900 |
| Protocol serial number | 975.12 |
| Sponsor | University of Malaya (Malaysia) |
| Funder | University of Malaya (H-20001-00-E000066) (Malaysia) |
- Submission date
- 22/04/2013
- Registration date
- 07/05/2013
- Last edited
- 07/05/2013
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion (putting in a drip) is a near universal procedure for pregnant women admitted to the delivery suite. The catheter is inserted for a variety of reasons including for blood tests, fluids or medicines to be given intravenously or as a precautionary measure in the event of a major haemorrhage. Doctors usually put the drip on the back of the hand or in the lower forearm. We do know which place is better for the drip to be placed in pregnant women at term. We think that inserting a cannula at the back of the hand is easier but it can be more painful to insert and prone to failure.
Who can participate?
Women at term with a singleton viable pregnancy admitted to the delivery suite who have suitable veins at the back of the hand and the lower forearm for cannula insertion and who need to have a drip inserted according to usual clinical practice will be invited to participate
What does the study involve?
If you agree to take part, you will need to sign a consent form. The doctor will then insert the catheter in the back of your hand or in a lower forearm vein (usually at the wrist) according to random allocation (an envelope containing the allocation will be opened to reveal the site). The catheter will be inserted and secured using standard techniques. Blood is usually taken from the catheter for any blood test you need. An infusion may be started if you need this immediately. If not, 5 ml of normal saline is used to flush the catheter to make sure it is correctly placed and is patent. If the allocated insertion is unsuccessful, your doctor is free to make a second attempt anywhere according to his best judgment.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
No specific risk is anticipated. Both sites are commonly used for the insertion of an intravenous drip.
Where is the study run from?
The study is conducted in the Delivery Suite of the University of Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary referral hospital with full-fledged operating theatres and neonatal intensive care unit.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The trial is scheduled to start 1 May 2013 and is expected to be completed within 12 months.
Who is funding the study?
Internally by the University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Who is the main contact?
Professor PC Tan
pctan@um.edu.my
Contact information
Scientific
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Faculty of Medicine
University of Malaya
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation in Obstetric Patients: comparing dorsum of the hand vein with lower forearm vein: a randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | PICOP |
| Study objectives | Peripheral intravenous catheterisation in women at term admitted to the delivery suite is more likely to be successfully accomplished but is more uncomfortable when attempted through a vein at dorsum of the hand compared to a vein at the lower forearm. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics approval from the University of Malaya Medical Centre Medical Ethics Committee. Approval number 975.12 dated 12 March 2013. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Common medical procedure: Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation |
| Intervention | Attempted catherisation with a 18G peripheral intravenous cannula using standard insertion technique without any local anaesthesia into a 1. Vein at the dorsum of the hand or 2. Vein at the lower forearm |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Successful insertion (defined as full placement of the catheter into a vein at the allocated site after a single skin prick confirmed with a straightforward 5 ml saline flush) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Causes of catheter malfunction (if any) |
| Completion date | 30/04/2014 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 304 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Admission to the delivery suite 2. Established need for a peripheral intravenous catheter based on usual practice/indication 3. Aged ≥ 18years 4. erm Pregnancy (≥ 37 wks) 5. Singleton, viable fetus 6. Suitable veins at BOTH proposed sites as assessed by the provider who will attempt the insertion |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Women who are seriously ill, requiring more than one venous access 2. Women who are scheduled to undergo a Caesarean delivery |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/05/2013 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/04/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Malaysia
Study participating centre
50603
Malaysia
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
