2.) Flush w/10 ml NSS then keep syringe attached to hub.
3.) Remove flush syringe and do not scrub hub again then administer IV med.
4.) Keep that syringe attached then remove it and do not scrub hub again then flush w/10 ml NSS.
My preceptor said all of the syringes are sterile so scrubbing the hub 1x and keeping the syringes on in between everything keeps it clean and not harm the patient.
School/Clinical vs. Real world OR simply unsafe???
Are we talking about central lines? If so, for those who don't clean the hub each and EVERY time, I'd be interested to see your CLABSI rates. Are you seriously going to risk your patient getting an infection just because you want to save 10-15 seconds of scrubbing the hub each time it's exposed?
It's been over a year since we've had a CLABSI and most nurses on my unit do not scrub in between sterile syringes. We use swab caps, though, so we don't scrub the hubs since alcohol sits on the hubs at all times the connection is not in use. We are supposed to change the swab caps every single time one is removed and something is pushed through the port, but if the swab cap is still obviously wet most of use will reuse them. Swab caps are also supposed to be changed every 7 days at the latest if that port is never used, but we rarely date the swab caps properly.
It's been over a year since we've had a CLABSI and most nurses on my unit do not scrub in between sterile syringes. We use swab caps, though, so we don't scrub the hubs since alcohol sits on the hubs at all times the connection is not in use. We are supposed to change the swab caps every single time one is removed and something is pushed through the port, but if the swab cap is still obviously wet most of use will reuse them. Swab caps are also supposed to be changed every 7 days at the latest if that port is never used, but we rarely date the swab caps properly.
If you are only giving an IV medication one time a week, and you have a Valved IV catheter, then I agree, the cap is changed weekly after the med is in, and you perform the last flush on the line. But, if you are giving a medication more frequently, then each time you remove the green, or orange, or blue protective cap (Swab cap, Curos cap, etc..) a new cap MUST be put on the end of the needleless connector.
buffalo2122, ADN, BSN, MSN
115 Posts
I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS TODAY! Glad i saw this.