Flushing incompatibles?

[ohbet]

Ive never had to do this procedure but was curious how to do it, how do you flush iv tubing if two solutions are incompatible?

Do you remove tubing from the first solution,then spike to NS and let NS run for awhile,then spike the tubing to your second solution?

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Use two different lines if you cannot completely flush out one incompatible via a port. I only do the flushing if I am giving something IV push through a port and the solution and the med aren't compatible.

Stop the flow of the first solution

Flush vigorously with 10-20cc compatible soln (push-pause)

Give the push med watching carefully for precipitate/color change

Flush vigorously again

Restart the original solution and stand there watching again for any sign of reaction between the two meds.

Be aware that if you see ANY problem to stop the flow immediately before the precipitate/color change reaches anywhere near your patient, then change the entire tubing- don't just flush it out- and start again with two separate tubings.

[jeniousno1]

hello,

if there are two infusions or drugs to be given intravenously, for example 100mls of n/s with a drug added and another drug made up in 5% dextrose, before the first infusion is erected a 50ml flush of n/s is administered through the intravenous giving set over 15mins, then the first infusion is erected and run over the prescribed time, before the second infusion is erected 50mls of n/s is erected to ensure the previous infusion has been fully administered and that the intravenous line is prepared for the second infusion, then the second infusion is erected and run over the recommended time obtained from the manufacturers instructions provided with the drug, after the infusion has run through 50mls of n/s is erected to flush all the drug through the i.v. line. hope this helps.

[micro, RN]

generally correctly flushing works using correct procedures as dictated by your facilities policy and utilize your pharmacy's knowledge base.....

but there are some iv medications that will require two sites(peripheral) or a central line as no matter, they are entirely incomptable.......

unless you consistently use such medications, etc......

a good and current iv medication book and utilize your pharmacy knowledge base.......

also a good facility will have a chart available so that you can quickly access what is and isn't compatible.......and what to do in each situation........