Nurse Manager Head Explosion

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Patient on a PCA, infusing MS into a SQ site to her abd. The MAR reads change MS and tubing every day, change SQ site and tubing every 92 hours. I simply asked my head nurse if we change the MS tubing every day, the tubing comes with the MS so we change it, does it matter that we don't change the SQ tubing every day? Of course we dont cause you would have to change the SQ site every day cause the tubing comes attached to the SQ needle. I was just asking basically if it matters....well his head exploded at the question and I won't repeat his expletives...However does it matter ?

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Specializes in Geriatric Psychiatry.

I think my head just exploded with all the abbreviations.

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I think my head just exploded with all the abbreviations.

Come on, be nice. What is the answer? Does it make any difference if the entire length of tubing is not changed?

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Specializes in Geriatric Psychiatry.

Awe I am sorry, I was trying to be cute not mean. I did not understand the post because of all the abbreviations. If you clarified some of them I would love to try and help!!!

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Awe I am sorry, I was trying to be cute not mean. I did not understand the post because of all the abbreviations. If you clarified some of them I would love to try and help!!!

Does it make any difference that one piece of tubing is changed every 92 hours?

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Specializes in Geriatric Psychiatry.

I am not sure what is running through the tubing and where it is going- iv, gastric tube,?? If you look in our policy manual at work it will give you a set limit of time to change tubing. Every facility is different. Also last resort you could call up your pharmacist and ask what they recommend. Hope this helped!!

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MS is not an approved abbreviation for morphine sulfate, I believe it is on the do not use list. You would have to check with your companies policy and procedure's. It sounds like the order needs to be re-written if it is impossible to change the tubing without changing the site.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

I read and understood the OP without any issue whatsoever.

Your manager probably didn't know and had a million other things going on.

From what I've seen of these SQ pumps is that the sites and the tubing change at the same time. It probably would be best to ask the pharmacy for the state regulations so you really know what they expect as well what pharmacy recommends. Then maybe your facilty can get a policy and procedure printed up and added to your manual.

I've mostly seen these with hospice patients. Good luck to you!

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I read and understood the OP without any issue whatsoever.

Your manager probably didn't know and had a million other things going on.

From what I've seen of these SQ pumps is that the sites and the tubing change at the same time. It probably would be best to ask the pharmacy for the state regulations so you really know what they expect as well what pharmacy recommends. Then maybe your facilty can get a policy and procedure printed up and added to your manual.

I've mostly seen these with hospice patients. Good luck to you!

Thanks Happy wife, you nailed it, he did have a lot on his plate. I have to call our pharmacist.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.
Thanks Happy wife, you nailed it, he did have a lot on his plate. I have to call our pharmacist.

You are welcome! Also check the directions on the package of tubing, as sometimes it will tell you when they recommend changing them out.

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