IV order to discontinue?

[sassyann85]

Hi everyone.

So if a patient is ordered a peripheral IV start for a bag of fluids, after the bag is completed some RNs have been discontinuing (removing) the IV as soon as the infusion completes. My understanding is you need as physician order to d/c a peripheral IV (unless it's infiltrating or something like that). My thinking is-if you d/c it right away, how do you know they won't be needing additional fluids and have to get restuck again?

thoughts?

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

What does your facility's policy say about the removal of IVs?

[annie.rn]

Definitely should look at your policy as the previous poster recommended but I would leave it in if not against policy.

Where do you work? If it is in an acute care inpatient setting I would leave it in b/c you will most likely be using it again during the pt.'s stay. If they need a fluid bolus there's probably other things going on. I prefer to always maintain I.V. access in the event of unexpected emergencies. You don't want to be scrambling for access at that time. Just make sure you maintain the I.V....flush q shift, keep dsg. clean and dry and assess site.

As far as orders go, I have never called to ask to d/c an I.V. b/c they are usually being discharged and I.V. removal is required. On the other hand, if the I.V. has gone bad prior to discharge and another cannot be placed or the pt. refuses or they are just asking to have it out b/c it isn't being used, I will run it by the doc to make sure it is o.k. for the pt. not to have I.V. access. If o.k. w/ the MD, I'll write an order stating it is o.k. to leave the I.V. out. It covers you in the event of an unexpected emergency as mentioned above.

Hope this helps.