labeling lines and IVs

[gas_passer]

I am a traveling nurse, and I find it ironic that the directors force us to label every single line and port but their employee nurses don't do it and get away with it. And then half the time, I cannot even read what they wrote so I have to fix all their mistakes.

Is there an official policy guideline by AORN or some other body for labeling? Is there any other easy way to label?

[vanilla bean]

I'm sorry you're being "forced" to follow facility policy and do the job you were hired to do. Is there an easier way to label than the easy way that we normally label? I don't know. Good luck with your search.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Wait, so are they not labeling at all, or are the labeling illegibly? Because your statements are contradictory.

What is the facility's policy about labeling? That is what you should be going by. If other nurses are not following facility's policy, then you should take it up with the charge nurse or file an incident report.

[smf0903]

I am the labeling queen You'd never find a patient of mine with unlabeled lines. All IV bags have to be labeled as well. All dressing changes, patches, etc also have to be labeled.

[gas_passer]

I do my best to trace and label every line and every port too. But, when I'm on the floor and get 3 transfers from the ICU, how come those patients come to me with only half of the lines labeled!*@? Some of the IVs will have the "CHANGE WEDNESDAY" sticker on them, but they get wet and they're smudged, and then I go back and change every single one.

I spend more time changing labels then I do patient care.

Frustrating! Is there an easier way?

Sorry to keep griping -- I just wished there was something easier like a computer program or something. But dont make it another function of EP** or CERN**.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I don't think there is an easier way. We have labels with the days of the week on them and we

Date and time that.

If it really bugs you write and incident report on them. But at least if there is an audit or JC visit your butt is covered.

[MikeyT-c-IV]

I dislike when there are different accountability standards between nurses. I'm also an IV label guru... It's for patient safety and based on evidence. I left my INS policies and procedures book laying at home but I would be willing to bet they outline standards on this practice. It should be in the hospital P&P's.