Every IV starts with good perfect intentions—but in neonatal care, even the smallest infusion can lead to big problems. A new study published in BMJ Open highlights just how critical early detection is for preventing infiltration and extravasation injuries in the most vulnerable patients—and how ivWatch is helping change the game.
The Problem: A Hidden Threat in NICUs
Peripheral IV infiltration and extravasation (PIVIE)—where fluids leak into surrounding tissue—is the most common complication in neonatal IV therapy. It can lead to serious outcomes like:
- Pain and skin damage
- Risk of infection
- Scarring or nerve/tissue injury
- Interruptions in treatment
In fact, nearly 30% of neonatal IVs in the study resulted in infiltration. Many of these developed silently, without visible signs until damage had already occurred.
The Solution: ivWatch Continuous Patient Monitoring Technology
At a leading NICU in Doha, Qatar, clinicians compared two monitoring approaches over a 4-year period:
- Phase 1 (2019–2020): Traditional “Touch, Look, Compare” visual assessments
- Phase 2 (2021–2022): Continuous monitoring with ivWatch’s continuous IV surveillance technology, alongside TLC assessments
The result? A dramatic drop in severe complications.
Severe PIVIE cases with >15% swelling using the IEGS scale fell by nearly 93.3% with the addition of ivWatch.
Using visible and near-infrared light combined with a predictive algorithm, ivWatch continuously monitors IV sites for early signs of fluid that is intended to stay in the vessel is leaking into surrounding tissue—often before nurses or doctors can detect them visually. The technology alerts clinicians in real-time, enabling proactive intervention that can prevent further harm.
Study Highlights
- Large 4-year study with two cohorts of thousands of patients were analyzed
- Severe infiltration injuries dropped from 4.9% to 1.1%
- Earlier detection = reduced pain and long-term complications
The study confirms what many frontline providers already know: Technology, when paired with skilled clinical care, can lead to better outcomes.
Why It Matters
It’s time to end the neglect of saying “we don’t have a PIVIE problem” or “this is not an issue in my unit.”
The data does not lie from clinical analyses from around the world. Neonates are fragile. They can suffer in silence all from a simple IV. They deserve better than the current standard of care—especially when IV therapy is essential to their treatment. This study reinforces ivWatch’s role as a proven tool in reducing harm and supporting nurses on the front lines.
As hospitals and health systems strive to improve patient safety and outcomes and ultimately reduce avoidable harm, integrating continuous site monitoring with traditional practices could become the new standard in IV care—not just for NICUs, but across all age groups.
Learn More
If you’re a clinician or hospital administrator looking to improve IV therapy safety, ivWatch is here to help.
Contact us to schedule a demo or talk with a clinical expert.
Explore more research on early detection and infusion safety.
Because when you catch problems early—you change outcomes completely.