Critical Care RN vs Infection control RN

[sportstoy2]

While reviewing the current central line policy I wanted to update it to reflect what we really do in ICU. No I do not stop pressers for 5 minutes to draw from the central line. I also do not remove positive pressure access device and connect directly to the central line to draw the blood. It would be breaking the line multiple times a shift exposing the patient. The infection control nurse insists that this is the best practice but I feel having nurses break the line multiple times a shift is just setting ourselves up for increased infection rates. I cant find any good articles to support it either way. What do other facilities doing?

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

There are a multitude of devices you can use to draw blood from a central without increasing risk of infection/adverse events to the patient.

The one that comes to mind is the VAMP systems, which are devices that remove fluid/blood allowing you to sample and then re-infuse the "waste" into the patient. We utilize these with ART/CVP Lines.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

The one that comes to mind is the VAMP systems, which are devices that remove fluid/blood allowing you to sample and then re-infuse the "waste" into the patient. We utilize these with ART/CVP Lines.

I second the VAMP! We have implemented that system, and the VAMP Jr. as well. Very smart set-up.