BD nexiva catheters?

ktwlpn, LPN · Jan 26, 2009

I'm in an LTC where we don't do IV therapy except long term antibiotics through central lines but those catheters look great.It's about time....

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

For the 0.24x/year we need to insert a peripheral IV, that's what we use. But I've never done it. And we don't even keep them on our floor usually. So fat latta help I am.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

I was on one of the focus groups when they first started designing that catheter...they picked my brain for 2 hours. I love the Intima as well and these are a combination of a butterfly type design and a straight catheter over the needle type design. I think they are great because like the intima you can make a virtually closed system before the venipuncture to further limit potential exposure to blood.

dcarriv · Aug 27, 2009

they are horrible. they hurt the pt more, they blow the vein very easy, the 2 ports with one lumen make it too easy for someone to run meds together that are not compatable, they are not safe and are too easy to get needle sticks. we have used them for a few months now and I will admit that it is usually very easy to hit the vein, but you cant thread them into the vein without blowing it. we have also found that even when you are able to get them in, they will not last very long, usually about 6 hours. these things are supposed to save the company about 1 million per year. not going to happen, they will probably end up costing more.

kenkozbiel · Sep 30, 2009

I have a few questions for those who are having difficulty with the Nexiva catheter. First question is how long had you been using the product before posting on the board? Second is, if having problems, have you been in contact with your local BD sales rep for assistance. The reason why I ask, is that I also work for BD as an on call specialist, part time, and I am aware of every complaint that I have seen posted. BD is very dedicated to making sure that those who use their products have the resources needed to become proficient with them. OK now you have heard from the corporate side, now a little from the side of the practitioner. I have been an er nurse for nearly 12 years, and still work full time in an er in the suburbs of Chicago. At my previous hospital we converted to the Nexiva almost three years ago, and then converted at my current hospital. So not only have I assisted in converting hospitals, I have worked through two myself. I am not going to tell you that there were not issues at both facilities when converting to the Nexiva, after all it is very different from what most of you had been using in the past. I myself converted from Protectiv and Insight Autoguard respectively. What I ask is that if you are having problems/concerns with the catheters, please utilize the resources available from BD to address those issues. Every complaint I have seen in the previous postings can be addressed and corrected. From a teacher and user of the product, I can tell you that most of the issues require very minor adjustments in order to improve success rate and patient comfort.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2009

totally agree with the above poster....there is a learning curve to every new product. I have found that is usually a lack of skill and knowledge and practice and not the specific product. I have used many IV catheters over the last 27 yrs and I can get any product into the veins,,,and with ease

ERnewbieRN, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2009

We just started using these a few months ago... I really did not like them at first because when you're not experienced in using them, it is very easy to blow the vein and it is difficult to flush the catheter in if you hit a valve first. However, after using them for a while, I have grown used to them and even like the "bloodless" system. You still have to be very careful about pulling the needle out once you've started the line-if you don't anchor the butterfly/cath with one hand and just try to yank it out, sometimes the needle gets stuck and you end up pulling out the IV. I work ER so I start probably 10-15 of these a shift, so it just takes some getting used to.

realistRN · Oct 5, 2009

Here's a question for the BD rep...If you miss the IV, or the vein blows and you have to take the IV out prior to advancing the catheter - how is this considered a safety needle? How do you suggest handling this situation? The rep for our hospital never went over this.

Thanks!

AZTRAUMANURSE · Oct 27, 2010

One would assume that one would remove the needle from the back (engaging the safety mechanism) prior to removing the catheter ( that is in varying stages of insertion ).

sunnycalifRN · Oct 27, 2010

We just started using these a few months ago... I really did not like them at first because when you're not experienced in using them, it is very easy to blow the vein and it is difficult to flush the catheter in if you hit a valve first. However, after using them for a while, I have grown used to them and even like the "bloodless" system. You still have to be very careful about pulling the needle out once you've started the line-if you don't anchor the butterfly/cath with one hand and just try to yank it out, sometimes the needle gets stuck and you end up pulling out the IV. I work ER so I start probably 10-15 of these a shift, so it just takes some getting used to.

I agree with everything you said. We've been using them for about 9 months or so and at first, everyone hated them. But, after the tech rep came back and did a repeat inservice, most of us became comfortable with them. One thing that is very important is to "break the seal" by sliding the needle back and forth slightly, then you can easily pull out the needle, but as you said, you must really hold onto the wing or you risk pulling out the IV.

snursee2b · Aug 20, 2011

How do you not blow the vein? After blood return, do you release the tournique then advance the needle into the vein? Please help. I get good blood return but end up blowing the vein. Why? I leave the tournique on. Is this why?