contamination of primary line

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could u give me some feedback? i am a rn. they say u learn something new everyday but too my surprise it was something i never expected. recently my supervisor instructed me regarding contamination of primary tubing. during administration of primary fluids my patient very combative and confused at the time pulled out her iv and during this time i set the tubing on the pole and consequently left the cap off the hub,(tip) of the tubing. well to my surprise was told that because of this the entire tubing was now contaminated based on bacteria migration up the tubing. now after 9years i felt like i was a new grad. please give me ur ideas of this it would be a huge benefit to my already crush compenency. :rolleyes:

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

142 Articles; 9,982 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych. Has 26 years experience.

I agree.......better safe than sorry when it comes to anything related to IV access.

Don't be too hard on yourself, just use it as a learning experience and move on. :)

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,302 Posts

I agree.......better safe than sorry when it comes to anything related to IV access.

Don't be too hard on yourself, just use it as a learning experience and move on. :)

Lots of people don't though - thinking that it didn't actually touch anything. But I'm like Marla - better safe than sorry.

steph

Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

Yeah, change the tubing just to be safe.

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