Intravenous (IV) therapy is one of the most common clinical procedures performed in hospitals worldwide.
Studies estimate that more than 70% of hospitalized patients require IV access at some point during their
stay. Because IV therapy is so frequent, even small weaknesses in system design can compound into
significant risks for patient safety, healthcare worker exposure, and hospital costs.

The Hidden Risks in Routine IV Therapy

Despite standardized protocols, IV therapy remains exposed to process-related risks at the bedside.
Common contributing factors identified in audits and studies include multiple access and disconnection
points, manual preparation of drugs and flushes, repeated handling during high-acuity care, and time
pressure. Research indicates that 30–40% of line-related complications are associated with handling and
process errors rather than device malfunction.

Blood Exposure and Staff Safety in Hospitals

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids remains a persistent concern globally. Hundreds of
thousands of exposure incidents are reported annually, with IV access and line manipulation ranking among the leading contributors, particularly in intensive care units, oncology wards, and emergency departments.

How Closed IV Systems Improve IV Therapy Safety

Closed IV systems are designed to limit open access points during routine IV care. By reducing the number of steps that expose blood or fluid pathways, these systems introduce structural safeguards into everyday practice. Hospitals evaluating closed IV systems report 25–40% reductions in exposure events and improved consistency across shifts.

Impact of IV System Design on Nursing Workflow

Time-and-motion studies show that manual preparation steps add 30–60 seconds per IV interaction. When multiplied across repeated line access events, this results in lost nursing time, increased cognitive load, and higher procedural variability in high-pressure clinical settings.

Cost and Procurement Implications of IV Safety Systems

From a procurement perspective, IV safety is increasingly assessed through total cost of ownership rather than unit price alone. The cost of a single catheter-related bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is estimated between USD 20,000 and USD 45,000, excluding downstream operational impact.

Designing Safety into Everyday IV Care

The evidence is clear: IV safety depends not only on protocols, but on how systems are designed to support human behavior. Closed IV systems help reduce exposure opportunities, improve consistency, and align patient safety with workflow efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a closed IV system?

A closed IV system minimizes open access points during IV therapy, reducing blood exposure and
contamination risk during line access.

Do closed IV systems help reduce infection risk?

Evidence suggests that limiting open handling steps supports infection-control efforts by reducing exposure events and procedural variability.