Re: Amicillin via UAC?

I am appreciative of this thread, because I was just told yesterday, by my preceptor (I'm doing my end-of-nursing-school practicum), that the UAC is only used for blood draws, arterial bps, and occasionally a low level heparin infusion. It's comforting to know that our unit is running similar to others around the country.

Re: Amicillin via UAC?

We use a double lumen UAC and give fluids/TPN/meds via 1 port and use the other port for continuous blood pressure monitoring and lab collections. We also give blood through the UAC via the monitoring port in the VLBW infants. We don't start a PIV if they have a UAC in place unless they are a bigger baby needing a transfusion or have a med that is incompatible with the maintenance fluids or TPN. Once the patient is stable a PICC line is placed and the UAC is D/C'd. We have been very successful with this practice and it saves the patient a great deal of sticks.

Re: Amicillin via UAC?

In a pinch, yes. Ideally, no. I have to say, I've done it on quite a few occasions. My old unit (where I was trained) didn't seem to have much issue with doing it. But we also had really sick kids who tended to have all their other access ports occupied with drips and transfusions.