For the most part, in my LTC facility, our residents are on IV infusions just a few times a day. Why is it that when I go in for my shift, none of the lines have been recapped? Are they teaching this now days or is it just laziness? One nurse told me she didn't thing it is a must since it is an interlink (blue type of connector) and the tip isn't exposed? Um....how do you know it doesn't drop or drag on the floor?
At just about the start of every shift, I am changing lines on all these residents when it should be good for atleast 24hrs worth of infusions?
I think it's the question, when you enter a room and see this turned on itself thing that you don't KNOW if someone cleaned or not.......
I guess I would assume if they cared about infection control enough to recap, they would have cleaned the port first. Oh well... one more thing to worry about, I suppose.
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?
What is wrong with turning the tubing around and screwing it into the port. How is it any different than putting a cap on?
Wow...I was just venting, but I see this happens everywhere. We are trying to get the blue conectors that NRSKAREN posted about.
What kills me is when other nurses say you don't need to recap. I'm not talking aobut the blue ones mentioned above. Yucky. Germy OOOO. Esp in ltc when our housekeeping is to be desired.
Here is the killer part. I was a Girl Scout years ago, so I'm always prepared. I load up my pockets with caps and swabs so that I have extra to use on hand and even tape them to the IV pole or pump so that they are there. I come into work, days later and they are still there. GRRRRR
I'm a new grad, and YES they do teach you to recap. However, by recapping, it usually means taking off the old connector (usually alligator) and putting on another one to ensure sterility (in case someone dropped the cap). I can't imagine using tubing older than 96 hrs (or specified time) and not recapping tubing. That is just asking for a problem. And in my clinical facilities, tubing was still good for 96hrs (or specified time) even with only intermittent infusions.
Specializes in Psych, ER, Resp/Med, LTC, Education.
the only thing is the blue piece there is the patient end and of course should be cleaned and if on a PICC twice but I think the issue was more the end of the tubing not the patient port to connect to. I heard someone mention the alligator clip........how many of you have that system. I worked in one hospital with that --one of 4 in my city and the other 3 all use the twist on. I don't care for them--the alligator clips that is.......never could get used to them. And their IV catheters were different too. No button to click to automatically retract the needle once in the vein. I prefer the ones witht the button, and they are safer too.
The hospitals I had clinicals in had both the alligator clips and the blue ones you twist on. Our IV catheters (as well as regular syringes) had the automatic needle retraction feature. I went to school in Pittsburgh and am refering to AGH primarily but have seen the same thing at UPMC. They can seem to be a little outdated on some things, but are quickly catching up. I guess it all depends on your region.
And yes, the auto-retract needles are great. One less thing to worry about although you still have to be cautious! :
vashtee, RN
1,065 Posts
I guess I would assume if they cared about infection control enough to recap, they would have cleaned the port first. Oh well... one more thing to worry about, I suppose.