IV fluid Hang time

[Kidsfelt]

Hi there,

I am researching why we change packaged IV Fluids every 24 hours when the tubing is good for 72-96 hours? Logic tells me that the intact system would be more likely to remain free of contamination. I know there are some hospitals out there that do not change their fluid every 24 hours but need some policies in writing. It would save time, money, and keep the IV system intact. Any thoughts?

Laura

[banditrn]

Kid - I can't help you with the whys, but I know that our hospital had the 24 hour change time. I think it was probably to keep things simpler?

[psalm_55]

this link may be helpful.

http://www.ins1.org/publications/index.html

[CarVsTree]

I think the point is that the fluid is only good for 24 hours. The tubing doesn't contain the same fluid for 24hours - the fluid is moving through. The fluid in the bag though would be more than 24 hours old. A stagnant location for bacteria to grow.

If no fluid is infusing for 24 hours, I would take the whole thing down. Obviously the pt. doesn't need it anymore.

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

If it's a pre-mixed bag, come straight from the manufacturer, it is good 72 hrs at our facility. However if it is specialized, something that pharmacy had to add something to or whatever, it is only good 24 hrs, I guess rationale being that the mixing process had more potential for bacteria to be in it.

With the "flowing" thing... if the fluid is flowing from the bag continuously wouldn't that make it less likely to grow in the bag as well, that fluid is also constantly moving? Does that make sense? (I am just trying to figure things out thanks)

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

In our hospital, most fluids are good for 72 hours as is the tubing. Drips have 24-48 hours with tubing changes. HAL and IL solutions and tubing is 24 hours.

The 72 hour change cuts down on the risk of contamination of the line.

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

We change fluids q 24, tubing q 72, including TPN tubing. Lipids are changed with tubing q 24. Med tubing is also changed q 24 hours.

We flip flopped a few years ago. At that time, anything containing D10 and above would have tubing changed daily, and med tubing lasted 3 days. I don't see any difference between then and now, except it's less work having tubing changes every third day. Infection has never been a problem.