Nurses reusing vacutainer hubs, tourniquets & blood-soiled trolleys for blood draws

Nurses Safety

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Specializes in ICU,Med-Surg, Sub-Acute, SNF, LTC.

I have found that some nurses are reusing vacutainer hubs, tourniquets, and bringing a visibly blood-soiled trolley into resident's rooms for draws. DON was notified. She said to talk to the TX nurse- the one responsible. DON was angry that I even called her to ask if it's our policy to reuse. The Vacutainer hub has blood on it. I'm SO bothered by this.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Your post has been moved to the Nursing Issues on Patient Safety forum with the goal of attracting more responses.

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Specializes in Oncology.

EWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEEEEEWWWWWWWW NO. Just. Ew. No. So unsafe, So nasty.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

The current standard of care is that the vacutainers and tourniquets are one time use items (1 per pt) then discard. Any number of bodily fluids and bacteria transfer can be on these items. The cart you use should be kept clean at all times and if any blood or bodily fluids get on it ..it should be immediately cleansed with your approved cleanser...better yet a small disposable medical drape or towel can be used to prevent the cart from getting soiled. Absolutely...I would be concerned.

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Specializes in ICU,Med-Surg, Sub-Acute, SNF, LTC.

Great news: the situation has been resolved in a positive manner. Phew! I lost some slep on this. Thanks for the input :nurse:

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Great news: the situation has been resolved in a positive manner. Phew! I lost some slep on this. Thanks for the input :nurse:

good news!

i've never understood why anyone would do something like this when it's not like they are paying for the supplies out of their own pockets anyway.

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