What supplies do YOU use to start an IV?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Our ER has a committee to identify ways to more prudently use supplies (enviromentally and fiscally.) Emesis basins were targeted because staff use them for everything but emesis, namely as a disposable holder for IV start supplies. (Then they're dumped in the sharps container!)

Our staff is convinced that they cannot start an IV in absence of an emesis basin. I, personally, have never used an emesis basin to start an IV.

Please tell me what the practice is at your institution. These nurses are getting all worked up just at the thought of their pink basins being gone!

Thanks in advance for any ideas you can give me.

Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

I just grab the supplies I need (a couple catheters, saline lock, flush, tourniquet, chloraprep swab, 2x2s) put em in my pocket and go! We also have the luxury of a few extra supplies in the bedside drawer, but when I was still working on the floor we didn't even have that. Just put the stuff in your pocket and your good to go.

And I also use 10cc flushes for a few reasons: first, to prime the saline lock, second, I want to have plenty of extra flush in case I'm not sure if I'm in the vein, if I need to float it in, or if I miss the first time around and need to poke the pt again, I still have flush and don't need to grab extra!

Specializes in Acute Care/ LTC.

Hi Rnleigh...i see what you are saying..but don't you set up prior to starting the IV anyway. i would have everything ready so there would be no "digging"..oh well...i look forward to seeing what comes of it...LOL...

Specializes in ER.

Wow it seems like you are up against a tough crowd! I don't understand why the facility can not do the caddy basket as others have mentioned. All supplies are on the caddy and you can easily carry it from room to room. The caddy has IV's, tegaderms, alcohol preps, betadine, 2x2s, tape, flushes- you get the point. Everything you need at reach. Love it.

as for the 10cc flush, I always use one when I start a Peripheral IV, I like to flush with a full 10cc to be extra sure that it is a good line.

To the orig. question: I take a towel (folded as it is on our cart) then place my 10cc flush, my J-loop, my IV start kit, and my jelcos (usually 2 20s and an 18) on the towel, and I roll the towel up around the supplies, then, I just have to carry a towel roll into the room. . .the towel then goes under the patients arm to catch blood.

I'm really greatful for all the input.

I think I'm going to revisit the caddy idea. I'm going to brainstorm on the towel idea, too.

Thanks to all. I'll give an update sometime later!

Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

We use the caddies also, though many times I just grab a 10cc flush (though we have to make our own - they haven't figured out yet that the pre-filled flushes are probably more cost and time-effective than grabbing a 10cc syringe, blunt needle and 15cc saline container!), j-loop and pre-packaged IV start kit. I always carry around a 16g, 18g, 2-20g and a 22g with me all day.

We are not allowed to leave IV start stuff - mostly just the catheters - in pt rooms since only the trauma rooms have locking cabinets. It is sort of a pain in the butt, but whatever isn't nailed down does tend to walk away.

I'd never heard of using an emesis basin. Most times I don't need a chux or washcloth for those that bleed a lot - a good amount of pressure above the catheter placement usually does the trick for me, but have had several "fool" me, and had to change my scrub bottoms for those that bled all down their arm and onto my leg!

Hi,

if you dont use a basin where do you put your sharps?I'm presuming that an emesis basin is what we call a kidney dish, we always use a kidney dish when starting an IV,giving IMI basically anything involving sharps to transport said sharp from bedside to sharps bin.

when you say 10cc flush do you mean you have pre filled syringes? how cool is that, wish we had those. :D

Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.
Hi,

if you dont use a basin where do you put your sharps?I'm presuming that an emesis basin is what we call a kidney dish, we always use a kidney dish when starting an IV,giving IMI basically anything involving sharps to transport said sharp from bedside to sharps bin.

when you say 10cc flush do you mean you have pre filled syringes? how cool is that, wish we had those. :D

Our catheters have retractable sharps, but then we have a bedside container in each room.

I miss those pre-filled flushes! It is a waste of time and resources to fill one for each IV start, to flush IVs, and then for meds if the pt has a saline lock.

Specializes in OB, ER.
Hi,

if you dont use a basin where do you put your sharps?I'm presuming that an emesis basin is what we call a kidney dish, we always use a kidney dish when starting an IV,giving IMI basically anything involving sharps to transport said sharp from bedside to sharps bin.

when you say 10cc flush do you mean you have pre filled syringes? how cool is that, wish we had those. :D

I immediately turn around and put them in the sharps container on the wall. It's very dangerous to leave a dirty sharp out for any length of time. You never know when it will get kicked, grabbed, forgotten.....

Specializes in Emergency.

I always grab a mayo stand. I cannot stand using the pt as a table. My pts are incapable of being still and not kicking like infants and leave me searching for my IV cap and flush that is now rolled up in the sheets or worse on the floor. Metal stands are easily cleaned and can hold alot. The only problem is searching one down. I think emesis basins would fly around too easily. But of course, my pts are dramatical....

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I always grab a mayo stand. I cannot stand using the pt as a table. My pts are incapable of being still and not kicking like infants and leave me searching for my IV cap and flush that is now rolled up in the sheets or worse on the floor. Metal stands are easily cleaned and can hold alot. The only problem is searching one down. I think emesis basins would fly around too easily. But of course, my pts are dramatical....

Big fan of the Mayo stand here!! :) I always track one down at the start of my shift and put it near my zone. We have 3 Mayo stands and 3 zones, so I can usually snag one of them for my side. I love it -- I can put meds, fluids, and IV supplies on it and wheel it on in.

Specializes in Emergency/ Critical Care.

We have 4 IV tray's where I work. Each is stocked with cotton swabs, alcohol swabs, saline locks, syringes, tourniquets and various sized angios... we grab the kit by the handle, walk in pt room, start IV, return IV tray to nursing station... very easy for all... we all restock the trays from the main stock cart if we have a few seconds extra... works well and no emesis basins needed

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