IV tubing....why don't you recap it?

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I would like to know the answer to your question too.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

We absolutely recap IV tubing that isn't currently in use. We use red caps:

Like you said, who knows where the tip of the IV tubing has been. For patient safety and infection control, it's a good thing that you're changing the tubing when you encounter this, IMO.

At my facility we change IV tubing every 96 hours with a handful of exceptions that would require it be changed sooner. I'm curious if patients who are getting once a day IV infusions would be able to use the same tubing for 96 hours, assuming proper care is taken to cap the ends when it is disconnected from patients. I've only dealt with patients who are getting continuous infusions, so I usually don't have tubing that is sitting around unused for long periods of time.

suzy253, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I always recap

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I would never use tubing that wasn't capped. That's a huge infection risk.

strugglingnurse · Jan 10, 2009

The answer is simple, too busy to find a cap, or too lazy.

NursingAgainstdaOdds · Jan 10, 2009

When I enter a room to start an infusion, 50% of the time the tubing is turned-around on itself and screwed onto the port. WHAT? How is that even remotely a good idea? Why even bother? Now, I automatically take new tubing in, unless the last infusion was given by myself.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Jan 10, 2009

I find at my facility (rehab within an LTC, mostly we do IV abx, occasionally we do continuous IVFs) people simply aren't aware of our policy regarding tubing for intermittent infusions, and needlessly change tubing when it could have been dated, capped & saved for the next nurse. I currently have a pt on Zosyn q8h and Vanco q8h, and the tubing is almost never dated & saved for me. I am constantly having to start new tubing, which just seems so wasteful to me. The night nurses at our facility always change tubing, sometimes without regard to whether it's still good. I've been (in vain, of course) trying to let them know that if I change it on my shift and date/cap it for them, they can still use it for 24 hours. I guess old (lazy?) habits die hard...

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Yeah, I agree...it's out of pure laziness!! A cap MUST be used......using a port might be okay (though I never do that), ONLY IF the post were CLEANED with an alcohol swab FIRST......chances that this was done...probably slim! I now work in Psych so not a lot in the way of IVs but when I worked in Medicine that was an issue that drove me nuts as well!!! I ALWAYS carried redcaps, alcohol swabs and tape in my pockets. The number of germs floating around in the air alone can end up getting into the line and if it hits the floor, bed or anything else even worse......its sad that a patients safety is risked because of a few (well maybe more) lazy nurses.......or maybe just ignorant.....either way it's dammed common sense!!! So maybe you need to speak to a supervisor. Funny I worked as a ADON in LTC for a few short months (didn't like it) and had to go in sometimes to take care of PICC lines that my LPNs can't legally touch.......another fellow ADON came in one day andsaw mw use a red cap on a line when done and told me that I was wrong in using them...she said they were not sterile......I got do mad....what an idiot she was.....that is what they are FOR and they ARE in a STERILE package!!! She was aweful to work with .....!!! lol.......so long winded but you are correct and the line needs to be changed if not capped. As far as ho long it lasts without being used continuousely........it should be FLUSHED with a good 10 cc of Normal Saline EVERY shift/8 hours.....unless used and that should be flushed before and after the med anyways..........then it should last 3-4 days depending on your facilites policy and the IV itself if a regular line is good 4 days.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 10, 2009

Wow.. scary, sad, and wasteful.

And we wonder why a hospital stay costs so much? There is entirely too much waste caused by sheer laziness. (not to mention infection). :madface:

CathyLew · Jan 10, 2009

When I enter a room to start an infusion, 50% of the time the tubing is turned-around on itself and screwed onto the port. WHAT? How is that even remotely a good idea? Why even bother? Now, I automatically take new tubing in, unless the last infusion was given by myself.

Yea, that is a peeve of mine also.. those that cap into the tubing. Not that they used an alcohol wipe to wipe off the exposed "port" they plug it into.

or those that flush the one way valve that has been dangling without a cap, and without wiping it off.

Red caps are just one of those things you stuff your pockets with at the beginning of a shift. like pens, post-it notes and alcohol wipes.

Larry77, RN · Jan 10, 2009

We turn the tubing on it self all the time...I work ED where the tubing isn't exposed very long at all...probably not the best practice but we have bigger things to worry about.