IVIG question

Is that what protocol at your facility says to do?? I also work at a hospital where we do not need to y site it into any other fluid... I'm interested to find out why you do...

It's been this way for a very long time, I don't think it's ever been looked into before. I think the theory was that if the patient reacts, we have another line available for meds imediately, but don't think it's really nessesary now that I think about it. We don't do this for other drugs that have high reaction rates. Do you have an actual protocol on how to infuse at your facility? I'd be interested in looking at other protocols.

Check with your protocol and the pharmacy. At our facility we piggyback it on a pump. We use D5 or NS depends on the brand. Some also require a 1.2 macron filter (like for TPN). Start slow, some people have reactions. We give this frequently as we are an oncology/hematology floor.

I've seen it done both ways...it doesn't matter. But if you do have a primary line running, just be sure your solution is compatible with the brand of IVIG that you are using.

I think the rationale for the Y connection is the same as it is for other blood products, in order to infuse another solution quickly in case of a reaction.

A y connector is used in the case of a hemolytic or anaphalytic reaction it gives the nurse quick iv access without having to perform a second venipuncture. I hope this is helpful, I was a former paramedic and we always used y connector some referred to them as a k 52 to be able to hang a second bag of fluids or push rapid iv meds