Abstract
Despite current, high-quality, level 1 evidence that supports clinically indicated short peripheral catheter (SPC) replacement, the current practice in the health care system studied was to change SPCs routinely every 96 hours. A before-and-after design was used to evaluate the impact of SPC replacement when clinically indicated. Following the practice change, there were no SPC-related infections, monthly phlebitis rates ranged from 1.9% to 3.5%, and SPC use decreased by 14.2%, resulting in estimated cost savings of $2100 and 70 hours of nursing time saved. The translation of evidence on timing of SPC replacement into practice was a success.