Dedicated Lines

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

OK, I have a patient who needs, say... protonix. Policy says we need a dedicated line.

One nurse describes a "dedicated line" as an IV reseal that is used EXCLUSIVELY for the prescribed medication. The line is labelled for the med, and all that.

Another nurse argues that if it's a reseal, you can run ANY MED through it INTERMITTANTLY as long as it's properly flushed after each med. So, no label is necessary. Her take is that "dedicated line" means NO PIGGYBACKING or running anything continuously through that particular line. Only intermittant meds with generous flushes.

What's your take on this?

[sun_chica]

I'd say it depends on what your running & what needs to be given intermittently...

If you have a heparin or protonix gtt, & you need to give IV lasix, if you flush in between (SAS) your fine. I think the problem is when you're dealing w/ some meds that need to be pushed via infusion pump or IVPB, or depending on the gtt.

what do others think??

[hrtprncss]

I agree with the second scenario.

EDIT: I mean the OP's second choice.

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

I usually think of a dedicated line as something has a drip running through it constantly like diltiazem, amiodarone etc. If I had a port that only was used for intermittent IV infusions/pushes, I wouldn't use the term "dedicated" myself. But that's just how I always thought of it.