I did a very stupid mistakes today. I forgot to clamp the saline line...

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

Well, in over 5 years of dialysis I did that a time or two... I think it's a rite of passage. You'll be much more careful in the future, although don't beat yourself up if it should ever happen again (probably not anytime soon, though!)

Best wishes,

DeLana

mswim · Apr 9, 2011

Did it. The first time was the last time though! But you will get over it!

westieluv · Apr 9, 2011

Try not to beat yourself up. You're only human! :)

rnbob · Apr 10, 2011

Don't be so hard on yourself, my suspicion is that you are Human, and that's as good as it gets. You can always set the UF goal for the extra fluid. I have learned to always keep an eye on the saline bag whenever working at the machine, ie. put on, take off, answering alarms. Everyone needs a second line of defense against common mistakes.

mamabaer439 · Apr 12, 2011

This happens at least once to everyone! Get into a routine. Always have the clamp in your hand, ready to use, when you grab the lines, grab the clamp. That sort of thing. Also, watch the arterial line. If blood doesn't start traveling up the line the way it should, check to see if the saline line is clamped. This is always the first clue that the line is not clamped. Don't beat yourself up. It happens.

nossawja, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2011

rnbob has a good tip!

Keep your eye on the bag. Even then, sometimes it runs dry. Everyone does it, and if they say they haven't they're lying. :)

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

Know the feelling did that a couple of times. But you learn and you remember to clamp the next time. As long as the patient was ok and no air bubbles passed through. Sometimes you can put it in recirc and get the air out.

julzrncrn · Apr 17, 2011

what happened to your pt. friend? :rolleyes:

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2011

First off for starters I caught it before I had to recirc the lines. I calmly got the air out not panicking so the pt wouldnt know that I had made a mistake( but inside I was horrified). Let's be honest we are taking care of patients and it's their lives.As long as you handle any situation in a calm cool manner you will be ok. If the patient ask tell them the truth and reasure them you got it under control.

jdethman · Apr 17, 2011

If you have been in dialysis for a long time and this is the first time you have done this they you rock. If you are new then you do this again at some point, or you will clamp it in the wrong palce and air it that way :-).