I.V.'s I.V. piggyback ?

heart queen · Mar 1, 2004

Well, I think my Iv pumps are set up different. Every time I hang a piggyback, the pump stops the current IVF and switches over to the IVPB and delivers that soley at the set rate. When the IVPB is complete, the pump reverts back to the programming of the "maintenence fluid". So the patient is not "double dosed" the fluid.

What pumps are you using? Is it possible that there is an alternative way to program this?

Plus, if you're worried about CHF, there should be NO running IV fluid, and all piggybacks concentrated to the max allowed for your IV access.

Hope this helps.

heart queen · Mar 1, 2004

Re-read your post. Is it possible that you don' need to hang them seperatly? It seems that you're doing too much work, unnecessary Iv tubbing. Does your system allow for hooking up the secondary to the primary?. It seems like you may be new to this, no offense intended. Is there a charge or preceptor, or any nurse that you feel comfortable asking, to walk you through the IV pump?

Sometimes preceptors "ASSume" that you know the equiptment, and it snowballs until it seem like it's too late to say you don't understand. But ya just have to say "Is there a better way to do this? I want to decrease the fluid I give my patient." This shows that you really understand what your doing, but need a better way to do it.

good luck... ask 100000000 questions! I still do, and have been nursing for 9 plus years.

IMA · Mar 1, 2004

Thanks for your reply.I already called one of our Educator in our hosp. & he told me it depends upon the pt.If he's ambulatory,young,not CHF nor ESRD I can put concurrent,but if the pt is old,lethargic,or hasCHF just let the Piggyback flow by itself.Again.thank you so much for your reply.:)

nursedawn67, LPN · Mar 1, 2004

I believe you also have to be sure that whatever you are running in the main IV bag is compatible with whateve is in the piggy back.

heart queen · Mar 1, 2004

Thanks cameron, forgot to mention, that not all seemingly harmless maintence IVF is compatable. Dextrose is uncompatable with several drugs. Unsure of what type of unit you're working.... but watch out for this. Dextrose seems so "everyday" that you forget certain drugs don't mix well with at all!.

I see you're new to the board, WELCOME stay in touch!

RNKPCE · Mar 1, 2004

It sounds like you are running the IV's concurrently in the same line. Piggybacking is when the IV( say an antibiotic for instance) is hooked into the primary is at a higher level than the primary so therefore it will flow instead of the primary. They make secondary tubing that is shorter and you plug it in the port above the roller clamp and pump. There is this capability on most iv pumps but can be done free flow as well.

I work on a floor with mostly cardiac patients and would rarely ever run fluids at 200/hr unless it were a bolus.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2004

Our hospital policy states that we can run IVPB and mainline fluids concurrently given the patient does not have CHF or renal failure. I am very cautious about doing concurrent infusions in the elderly-99% of the time, I let the IVPB run seperately.

Also, consider the size angio you have in your patient too. Now I have given many a fluid boluses through a 24 guage angio, but I consider this and the site where the IV is too.