Published Aug 28, 2007
time4meRN
457 Posts
I have a question, The last I heard from the Ohio Board of Nursing , we as RN's are not allowed to push Diprovan since it is an anesthesia drug. When I work ICU ,being the good nurses that we are we will never push the med, we may titrate it by the pump at 999 ml / hr to infuse to a volume of 5 ml. We didn't push it, we titirated it. But, any who....I work in the ER now where we give Diprovan for con. sedation. The hospital I work for said they have looked over the policy and decided it's OK for RN's to push Diprovan. Well, doesn't matter if the hospital decided it's OK if the OBN says it's not OK. How about other states, can you push such meds ? Any nurses in Ohio know any info on this. I can't find it on the OBN web site. I will not push anethesia meds until I know for sure from the board but , I'm just courious what other RN's are doing. Don't know about other ICU , ER nurses, But, Diprovan rocks , it's the best med out there for intubated pt's. Infact I have mug that says....GOT DIPROVAN ?
Silly me , sorry : spelled it wrong . Diprivan
bill4745, RN
874 Posts
We cannot push it in PA, as well as ketamine. But why can we push paralytics? I can't sedate you, but I can paralyze and kill you?
ashleyjean3
74 Posts
we push it if 2 mds are in room. one to monitor pt and one for procedure. im in the er in NC
BluntForceTrauma
281 Posts
In TN, RNs cannot push Diprivan...only CRNAs and MDs.
RunnerRN, BSN, RN
378 Posts
ER in MO, we do not push Diprivan. We do push Ketamine on peds though.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
A hospital does not have the right to overstep the rules of the Board of Nursing for any state. To do so, leaves the nurse open to be charges brought forth.
They can make a policy that is equal to that of the BON, or less, but cannot require you to do something that your state does not permit. I suggest that you get it checked out by the Board of Nursing, as well as the Board of Pharmacy for your state before you consider pushing it.
hogan4736, BSN, RN
739 Posts
AZ BON states that an RN can administer it "if the physician's hands are critically involved in a procedure" (stitches, reduction, etc...) so documentation is key...
caroladybelle, BSN, RN
5,486 Posts
Diprivan is an anesthesia drug and SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED unless there is an MD/CRNA/ someone expert in managing airway issues that can intubate if the pt crashes. That means that there should be an MD/CRNA THAT IS NOT INVOLVED IN PERFORMING A PROCEDURE at the bedside, if the pt needs to be stat intubated. This means that you need either anesthesia support or two MDs there, one of which is free if there are problems. This is the general safety guideline for diprivan/propofol and is cleared listed in the drug's literature as posted by the manufacturer. Especially given that there is no antidote/reversal agent.
While I agree that diprivan rocks - I have had it for endos and it is great - there are good reasons for restricting its use to anesthesia. There is a significant risk of resp distress/arrest and need for intubation. In the ICU, used with vents, there are fewer issues as you have an airway.
If you do a search, there are several threads on this.
Creamsoda, ASN, RN
728 Posts
I work in Canada in ICU, and yes, we push propofol all the time. Only if they are intubated and the airway is protected. Its usually for a procedure like a bronch, or cardioversion so the Doc is there anyway. We would not push it if there was no doc and the airway was not inplace. (unless we were using it to sedate for intubation). I know this has been a hot topic with alot of nurses so try searching the threads. I dont really see what the difference would be between pushing something like propofol and something like rocuronium which is a paralytic (i assume you can push that where you are). They are all closely monitored drugs, and as long as the doc is there I dont see a problem, but of course it vary's by state and personal comfort level. It can be difficult for the doc to push the propofol, then get in place at the HOB to intubate, so why cant the RN give it., just monitor your patient.
cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN
4,106 Posts
Especially given that there is no antidote/reversal agent.
Other than time, of course.
KR
307 Posts
I would personally call up the Ohio Board of Nursing myself and ask to talk to someone in the know. I would flat out ask them if it is legal to push Diprivan. Either way, I would have them send you a written statement saying yay or nay. Also, I love diprivan. Where did u get your mug? I would love to have a mug like that. Diprivan is my favorite drug in the ICU orificenal!