Mini infuser and other questions

CountryMomma, ASN, RN · Feb 24, 2016

Who is asking the questions and why?

Seriously, care to expand a little here? These are really, really vague.

IBVicki · Feb 24, 2016

To be more specific, I am teaching IV therapy in a nursing program for the first time. We don't often use mini-infusers or armboards in our local clinical sites so I'm trying to find out who might be using them. I want to continue teaching them if they are being used. Personally, I love mini-infusers. Tpn and blood filters are packaged together in this area. I was curious to see if anyone was having to order filters separately and if any other filters were being used. Maybe this is not the correct site to ask these questions. If so, please suggest a more appropriate place.

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2016

To be more specific, I am teaching IV therapy in a nursing program for the first time. We don't often use mini-infusers or armboards in our local clinical sites so I'm trying to find out who might be using them. I want to continue teaching them if they are being used. Personally, I love mini-infusers. Tpn and blood filters are packaged together in this area. I was curious to see if anyone was having to order filters separately and if any other filters were being used. Maybe this is not the correct site to ask these questions. If so, please suggest a more appropriate place.

No, You found the right section in which to post your question.

When filtering, it is ideal to have that filter be a part of the IV tubing set and not an add-on.

TPN, if it is a 3in1 solution, gets a 1.2 micron filter attached. TPN without lipids still should be filtered, but you should use a .22 micron filter. Blood is always filtered and whether use use standard Y tubing, or a microaggregate set, check MD's specific orders.

If your policy states that they way to infuse your medication is via a mini infuser, then use it.. I however, haven't seen them used in a decade or so.

Armboards may still be used if you have a patient who has a line in which terminates near an area of flexion. An armboard will prevent the vessel breakdown which occurs in this case, but I believe that it is better to go ahead an resite the line.

Did that answer your question?

IBVicki · Feb 25, 2016

I appreciate your response. I would love to hear from as many nurses as possible. Thank you.

CountryMomma, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2016

Sorry, I forgot to come back.

Armboard: yes only when the pt is incapable or unwilling to minimize movement at the AC or wrist.

Mini-infusers: no. Our onc nurse says no as well.

Filters: yes with anti-thymocyte, some -mab meds, and of course blood. We use in line y-line filter for blood. TPN gets a filter dependent on which formula it is. All filters are add-on kits.

IBVicki · Feb 25, 2016

Thank you.

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2016

Sorry, I forgot to come back.
Armboard: yes only when the pt is incapable or unwilling to minimize movement at the AC or wrist.
Mini-infusers: no. Our onc nurse says no as well.
Filters: yes with anti-thymocyte, some -mab meds, and of course blood. We use in line y-line filter for blood. TPN gets a filter dependent on which formula it is. All filters are add-on kits.

Well, add ons are not ideal. Increasing manipulation increases the chance of bacterial introduction, so the filter needs to be already attached, and designed from the manufacturer as a single unit.

CountryMomma, ASN, RN · Feb 29, 2016

Well, add ons are not ideal. Increasing manipulation increases the chance of bacterial introduction, so the filter needs to be already attached, and designed from the manufacturer as a single unit.

Hey don't look at me - I'm nowhere near the person ordering supplies. I'm merely reporting the conditions I'm in now. Lots of things are not ideal, but they are done, and that's what I'm sharing.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Feb 29, 2016

I work in the NICU.

I use arm boards a lot. I try to avoid them if possible, but if the IV is on a joint, you need it a lot of time.

I've never seen a mini-infuser in school or in practice.

We use filters a lot also. We have syringe tubing with little filters in them already, not separate. We don't filter our TPN. Blood comes pre-filtered from pharmacy in syringes (we bolus small amounts).