[Analysis of circumstances of occurrence of contrast media in imaging services].

Introduction: To prevent extravasations in medical imaging, analyses of organizational and professional circumstances of the occurrence of extravasations have been conducted in the Bordeaux University Hospital (BUH).

Method: Two parallel studies were conducted: (i) clinical practice evaluation (CPE) including practice analysis groups and development of indicator of extravasation occurrence; (ii) Case-control study analyzing the factors associated with the occurrence of extravasations. Cases were constituted with consecutive series of patients with extravasation occurred in the BUH; controls were constituted of series of patients managed in medical imaging in the BUH without any extravasation. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate regression logistic models.

Results: CPE identified the following circumstances: patient' characteristics (female gender, low blood vessels) and professional situations (lack of check of: peripheral veinous access, contrast media temperature, injection process and lack of matching between injection amount and veinous access diameter). In the case-control analysis, patients' gender and catheter placement in medical imaging were significantly associated with the occurrence of extravasations. Guidelines have been drafted allowing the decrease of extravasation incidence.

Conclusion: Adherence to guidelines of contrast media preparation and injection process is very important to prevent extravasation and improve patient safety.