Worried About I.v.'s

cokie · Apr 26, 2003

here in CA, there is a push for LVN's to be able to hang i.v. meds. i'm not worried about my job, i'm worried that i will be asked to supervise any number of LVN's while they hang i.v. meds, most without the knowledge base to know proper doses, proper uses (micro),. infiltration, phelbitis, drugs that need to be diluted (K), drugs very hard on the veins....etc. etc. etc.....if hanging i.v. meds is just about programming the pump (as some of my pt. think), then why don't we just let the pt. hang their own. ....am i wrong to want to keep i.v. meds something that just rn's can do. worried about my license hanging on more than one lvn, as they go about doing a highly skilled job. thoughts. p.s. i love the lvn's that i team lead, and i am not a control freak, and i realize that there are highly educated lvn's out there.....i just worry about my license.....

P_RN, ADN, RN · Apr 26, 2003

Our LPNs (South Carolina)have been giving IV meds for 20+ years. I learned some of my best techniques from LPNs. There certainly should be some intense special training, but I have no problem with their giving any approved meds.

There are certain restrictions. Over 40meq Kcl in less than 1000cc, blood, chemo, amphotericin B, about 15-20 meds as of 2 years ago :)

And here many patients do indeed give their own antibiotics at home.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Apr 26, 2003

Our LPNs (South Carolina)have been giving IV meds for 20+ years. I learned some of my best techniques from LPNs. There certainly should be some intense special training, but I have no problem with their giving any approved meds.

There are certain restrictions. Over 40meq Kcl in less than 1000cc, blood, chemo, amphotericin B, about 15-20 meds as of 2 years ago :)

And here many patients do indeed give their own antibiotics at home.

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 26, 2003

Originally posted by cokie
here in CA, there is a push for LVN's to be able to hang i.v. meds. i'm not worried about my job, i'm worried that i will be asked to supervise any number of LVN's while they hang i.v. meds, most without the knowledge base to know proper doses, proper uses (micro),. infiltration, phelbitis, drugs that need to be diluted (K), drugs very hard on the veins....etc. etc. etc.....if hanging i.v. meds is just about programming the pump (as some of my pt. think), then why don't we just let the pt. hang their own. ....am i wrong to want to keep i.v. meds something that just rn's can do. worried about my license hanging on more than one lvn, as they go about doing a highly skilled job. thoughts. p.s. i love the lvn's that i team lead, and i am not a control freak, and i realize that there are highly educated lvn's out there.....i just worry about my license.....

The LVN's currently working in your state will certainly need to be trained to do so and IV training will be added to the curriculum of their programs.I think that you can rest assured that they will not just start mixing piggies and stabbing patients blindly.It took several years here in Pa to implement this and there are some restrictions still on LPN's here.You can help by going to your staff education dept now and offering to help implement a training program for your co-workers...Feel the love..

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 26, 2003

Originally posted by cokie
here in CA, there is a push for LVN's to be able to hang i.v. meds. i'm not worried about my job, i'm worried that i will be asked to supervise any number of LVN's while they hang i.v. meds, most without the knowledge base to know proper doses, proper uses (micro),. infiltration, phelbitis, drugs that need to be diluted (K), drugs very hard on the veins....etc. etc. etc.....if hanging i.v. meds is just about programming the pump (as some of my pt. think), then why don't we just let the pt. hang their own. ....am i wrong to want to keep i.v. meds something that just rn's can do. worried about my license hanging on more than one lvn, as they go about doing a highly skilled job. thoughts. p.s. i love the lvn's that i team lead, and i am not a control freak, and i realize that there are highly educated lvn's out there.....i just worry about my license.....

The LVN's currently working in your state will certainly need to be trained to do so and IV training will be added to the curriculum of their programs.I think that you can rest assured that they will not just start mixing piggies and stabbing patients blindly.It took several years here in Pa to implement this and there are some restrictions still on LPN's here.You can help by going to your staff education dept now and offering to help implement a training program for your co-workers...Feel the love..

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 27, 2003

Part of the concern in Calif, is LVN's are now permitted perform IV push med administration according to the following Board of LVN regulations in Dialysis and blood bank settings--including directly into Quinton CVP type catheters---UNDER RN or MD direction or in "close vicinity approximation" which we KNOW will be stretched to the limit.

Check out these links:

"This proposal will add new language in regulation to permit licensed vocational nurses who are Board-certified in intravenous therapy to administer specified intravenous medications in hemodialysis, pheresis and blood bank" settings.http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/regchange.pdf

Law approved 1/29/03: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/availsecmodtext.pdf

Comments:

http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/fsr12.03.02.pdf

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 27, 2003

Part of the concern in Calif, is LVN's are now permitted perform IV push med administration according to the following Board of LVN regulations in Dialysis and blood bank settings--including directly into Quinton CVP type catheters---UNDER RN or MD direction or in "close vicinity approximation" which we KNOW will be stretched to the limit.

Check out these links:

"This proposal will add new language in regulation to permit licensed vocational nurses who are Board-certified in intravenous therapy to administer specified intravenous medications in hemodialysis, pheresis and blood bank" settings.http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/regchange.pdf

Law approved 1/29/03: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/availsecmodtext.pdf

Comments:

http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/fsr12.03.02.pdf

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 27, 2003

Originally posted by NRSKarenRN
Part of the concern in Calif, is LVN's are now permitted perform IV push med administration according to the following Board of LVN regulations in Dialyis and lood bank settings--including directly into Quinton CVP type catheters---UNDER RN or MD direction or in "close vincinty proximation" which we KNOW will be stretched to the limit.

>>I know that here in Pa techs are performing those functions under the direction of an RN or physician....non-sensical,isn't it?

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 27, 2003

Originally posted by NRSKarenRN
Part of the concern in Calif, is LVN's are now permitted perform IV push med administration according to the following Board of LVN regulations in Dialyis and lood bank settings--including directly into Quinton CVP type catheters---UNDER RN or MD direction or in "close vincinty proximation" which we KNOW will be stretched to the limit.

>>I know that here in Pa techs are performing those functions under the direction of an RN or physician....non-sensical,isn't it?

Jay-Jay, RN · Apr 27, 2003

This is scary!! In Ontario, RPN's (registered practical nurses) are allowed to give hydration therapy. When I was last in for surgery, the RPN was running the IV at 125 an hour. She did have orders to decrease it to KVO when/if I was drinking and peeing well. I had to BEG her to decrease it as I was going into fluid overload (borderline hypertensive, AND losing control of my overloaded bladder!) I think an RN would have had the judgement skills to have reduced it WITHOUT being asked.

RPN's/LVN's giving IV meds, esp. IV push meds?? Scares the daylights out of me!!

Jay-Jay, RN · Apr 27, 2003

This is scary!! In Ontario, RPN's (registered practical nurses) are allowed to give hydration therapy. When I was last in for surgery, the RPN was running the IV at 125 an hour. She did have orders to decrease it to KVO when/if I was drinking and peeing well. I had to BEG her to decrease it as I was going into fluid overload (borderline hypertensive, AND losing control of my overloaded bladder!) I think an RN would have had the judgement skills to have reduced it WITHOUT being asked.

RPN's/LVN's giving IV meds, esp. IV push meds?? Scares the daylights out of me!!