Phlebitis and a stupid idea

[ohbet]

Ive always read that venipuncture to the foot has a high rate of phlebitis,and recently , at the LTC facility where I work, phlebitis occured to someone with an IV to her foot.

Wouldnt it be a good idea to require an MD order for a foot venipuncture? Our facility doesnt require it,does yours? Is this a stupid idea?

[sunnygirl272]

Originally posted by cactus wren

Yuppers, we also have to have a Md.`s order for one in the foot, and also for blood draws there, also.

same here when i worked in the hospital...but man, it's sooo tempting sometimes when they have no accessible vein son their UEs...

[Agnus]

A MD order is an absolute must where I work.

There are time no one can get a line in a patient. We notify the doc. Then it becomes his problem. I've not seen an order for a lower extremity IV though. They usually order a central, PICC, or no IV, or give an order to leave in an old IV past the usual change date.

[sjoe]

An MD order is always required at the VA where I did med-surg and was on the IV team, regardless of the reason for it. They were very rare, in any event.

[neuroRN, RN]

You have to have an order for a foot IV at our facility, which I think is a smart idea. Not only is the phlebitis rate higher, but people with poor circulation (diabetes, PVD, etc) can have even worse consequences.

[deespoohbear]

We also have to have an order for a foot IV, but if we get to that point I am pushing for a central line....Think I have done one foot in 8 years and that was in an emergent situation where immediate IV access was needed...otherwise we go ask the doctor for a central line...