is this common practice?? IV tubing laying on the floor

[wearingmanyhats, RN]

I was visiting a good friend (she is really more like a sister to me) yesterday in the ICU. She is vented (she has Pneumonia) and the expectation is that they will wean her soon.

I have been an LPN for nearly 30 yrs, and was rather concerned seeing the IV tubing from her PIC laying on the floor and the nurses stepping on them. I am I just old school? I was taught that the floor was dirty, and nothing should be touching it.

It was all I could do to not either rearrange them, or at least say something. If I had been a family member, I would have said something for certain.

I am open to seeing all thoughts and opinions, even at 58, I still learn something every day!

Thanks!

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Clarification: Are you saying that the IV tubing was still appropriately attached to her IV catheter, but that a portion of the tubing was hanging low, and it was touching the floor. OR, are you saying it was disconnected and lying on the floor?

[wearingmanyhats, RN]

it was connected to her, and the various machines, with nearly 2 feet laying on the floor between the 2. I would say that there were 3 iv tubes total.

[Smalltimore]

I wouldn't be ok with a few feet of IV tubing lying on the floor, although I don't know that it necessarily increases the risk of infection if there are a couple of feet between the patient and the part on the floor. Bedrails are notoriously filthy and our lines rub against those all day. Still, I would be really uncomfortable with something connected to a central line just hanging out on the floor. It would increase the risk of tripping (especially for visitors) and, over time, I imagine stepping on IV tubing could do some damage.

Personally, I don't have a problem with visitors or patients pointing out or asking about stuff like that. If it's something that needs to be addressed I do it, and if it's fine then I explain why.

[wearingmanyhats, RN]

Thanks.... it just didn't seem like good nursing practice.

[TWD_RN]

I agree that it is defiantly at risk for falls or a potential injury to the PICC site from pulling. However, the IV is a closed container and is protected from the outside environment so I wouldn't worry about infection, unless the nurse is not scrubbing the hub. In ICU things can get crazy and a lot is going on all at once (especially with the multiple lines running, tubing can easily become a complex Rubix Cube). The nurse may be concerned with something else or watching the patient more than the tubing she may not have realized. If you haves a concern say something, any good nurse wouldn't be mad (just choose your tone and words wisely).