FINISHING an IVPB infusion

Published

So i'm a nursing student, and I have a question regarding what you do after the med has finishing infusing. I talked to my instructor and she said we should never press "stop" on the baxter IV machines (unless they are experiencing anaphylaxis). SO I just want to clarify the safe way to finish infusion (as it isn't clearly laid out in my textbooks). I believe we just saline lock their site, clamp the IV tubing, then disconnect? And of course, I flush the site with 2-5ml of N.S and lock as I flush. Is this right?

Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I'm not familiar with Baxter IV pumps but on the Alaris (spelling?) pumps we keep our IV tubings up there till the main line is changed which is usually four days. The piggyback is always programmed as a secondary and the alaris pump will switch back to the regular line when it is done. I've always wondered about any medications left over in the tubing but no one seems to know the correct answer for that. To refill the drip chamber since usually the drip chamber becomes empty, you drop the piggy back link below the main bag and the main bag will backflow into the drip chamber.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, I was referring to just intermittent infusion, where we disconnect the tubing in between medication administration. This patient didn't have a continuous infusion of the primary bag. I just wanted clarification of the steps to disconnect the tubing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

What I usually did was to simply convert the running line to a lock. Where I was at, our extension sets have (or we put one on) a Clave port. This made it really easy to do. I just stop the line, put a sterile stopper on the end of the line after I disconnect the line from the port, and then flush the line and as I'm flushing, clamp it off. Then all I have to do is put a cap on the port. The line and the port are both maintained in a sterile/aseptic condition.

As for what I mean by stopping the line, it's simply using whatever mode is necessary to stop the flow of fluid. That could be pressing the stop button, turning the pump off, or whatever else is used. I just don't want the pump to alarm because there's now an occlusion or that it's been paused for too long... because it's no longer connected to the patient!! For that specific process with those specific pumps, consult with your instructor as the facility may have specific protocols/instructions about this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I don't know anything about the Baxter pump, just the Alaris…on the Alaris you have to press (and hold) channel off, or else the pump will beep every 10 seconds or so and drive the pt nuts! What I do if it is just an intermittent infusion (not an IVBP), hit "channel off," disconnect the tubing and put a blue cap on the end (I have seen places where this is red), swab the lock with rubbing alcohol, flush the lock, clamp the lock, remove the flush.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I know this pump....Why don't/can't you hit the stop button? If you are saline locking the site after infusion and disconnecting the IV you have to hit stop.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She said I shouldn't press stop before saline locking, and said it should only be done if the person is experiencing anaphylaxis.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
She said I shouldn't press stop before saline locking, and said it should only be done if the person is experiencing anaphylaxis.

Are you sure you didn't mishear? Did she mean that you should not hit stop if the infusion is not complete unless they are experiencing anaphylaxis? Even in that case, it's the stop button, not the self destruct button.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

that was helpful, thank you for posting this question!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion