Continuous arterial ABG monitoring

[General E. Speaking, RN]

Have any experience with these machines? We have one CV surgeon that likes to use them. He doesn't do as many surgeries as the other docs so we don't see it used regularly. My pt had one the other day. 2nd day CABG post op. I believe it was called a VIA- was set to draw blood every hour to read electrolytes, ABGs and H/H.

The charge nurse was available to help me troubleshoot it a couple of times. We were so busy, I really wanted time to sit down and investigate it. It is housed in CVOR and the patients come to us with it connected.

My goal is to find the manual/policy and investigate further on a day that isn't so crazy. I tried to do an internet search after I got home but didn't get much info.

How common are these types of machines and do you use them regularly?

Thanks!

[msmiranda21]

I don't know what type of ABG machine you are refferring to but in my workplace i can decide to do hourly or even half hourly check pf blood gas if i reckon it is necessary(to check oxygenation-O2 and Co2 levels, electrolytes and even creatinine levels). If your doctors asked for it to be done hourly then he should have a good reason why it is being done. And as the nurse responsible for the patient, if you don't understand why you would have to do ABG check q hour-asked your doctors or your senior staff to explain as to why you have to do these test q hourly.

A critical patient may need this type of monitoring in order to act quickly on changes that happens to your patient.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

I don't know what type of ABG machine you are refferring to but in my workplace i can decide to do hourly or even half hourly check pf blood gas if i reckon it is necessary(to check oxygenation-O2 and Co2 levels, electrolytes and even creatinine levels). If your doctors asked for it to be done hourly then he should have a good reason why it is being done. And as the nurse responsible for the patient, if you don't understand why you would have to do ABG check q hour-asked your doctors or your senior staff to explain as to why you have to do these test q hourly.

A critical patient may need this type of monitoring in order to act quickly on changes that happens to your patient.

My question was regarding the specific equipment used- not the rational of why a critical care patient would need hourly ABGs. I can certainly understand why some would need more frequent monitoring. However, one particular CV surgeon uses the VIA machine on ALL his CABG patients irregardless of their history/condition, etc... Whereas, the other CV surgeons do not.

I was asking about the VIA machine and how common its use is.