Phlebitis and a stupid idea - page 2

[NEW] Finish the Toon Caption Contest! Win $100.

Ive always read that venipuncture to the foot has a high rate of phlebitis,and recently , at the LTC facility where I work, phlebitis occured to someone with an IV to her foot. Wouldnt it be a... Read More

  1. by Agnus
    Nov 12, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Nov '99; Posts: 2,950; Likes: 619
    A MD order is an absolute must where I work.
    There are time no one can get a line in a patient. We notify the doc. Then it becomes his problem. I've not seen an order for a lower extremity IV though. They usually order a central, PICC, or no IV, or give an order to leave in an old IV past the usual change date.
  2. by sjoe
    Nov 12, '02
    Occupation: Retired Specialty: 15 year(s) of experience in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg ; From: US ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 2,246; Likes: 48
    An MD order is always required at the VA where I did med-surg and was on the IV team, regardless of the reason for it. They were very rare, in any event.
  3. by neuroRN
    Nov 15, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 38; Likes: 1
    You have to have an order for a foot IV at our facility, which I think is a smart idea. Not only is the phlebitis rate higher, but people with poor circulation (diabetes, PVD, etc) can have even worse consequences.
  4. by deespoohbear
    Nov 15, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 2,276; Likes: 42
    We also have to have an order for a foot IV, but if we get to that point I am pushing for a central line....Think I have done one foot in 8 years and that was in an emergent situation where immediate IV access was needed...otherwise we go ask the doctor for a central line...

close