Line Changes

[futureTBA]

I am a new grad and had the great fortune to be hired into a level 3 NICU. I have finished my class based orientation and am starting my preceptored shifts this week.

During our orientation I learned that our unit does sterile line changes. Essentially any PIV or Central Line is changed under sterile conditions. We have a 2 nurse system to put together the new lines and then it takes 2 nurses to get those lines connected to the infant. The level 2 NICU where I did my pre-grad consolidation didn't follow this practice so I'm wondering how common it is.

So - do your units change lines under clean or sterile conditions?

Thanks!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

clean for peripheral lines and sterile for central lines

[nocnurse1992]

sterile for central, clean for PIV

[Missie Hannie]

My unit (level IV) does sterile IV tubing changes for both PIV and central lines, same as your unit from the sound of it. It's a bit of an involved process, but it gets easier with time.

Oh, and congratulations on your NICU job!

[futureTBA]

Thanks for all the feedback! Looks like the poll splits us 50/50. Glad to know it's not just us. I was going to ask the educators on my next set in whether I had misunderstood in training!

I definitely hope it will get faster, right now I feel like a turtle swimming through molasses could do it faster than I can

(And thanks Missie Hannie - it's been fascinating so far - and a little nerve wracking but I will eventually settle in)

[SleepingInn]

We do 2 RN sterile central line changes. We just started doing it this way about 3 years ago and have see a decline in line infections

[Janetnzrn]

Sterile line changes for our CVLs and UVCs, evidenced based practice for the last 5 years, dramatic decrease in CONS and other line sepsis organisms. Clean for PIVs but with strict clean hub technique. Level 3 tertiary centre.

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

2 person sterile for CVL. Clean for PIVs. I work in a Lvl III

[krenee]

Our central line changes are allegedly sterile, but since it's not a two-person system, it's really half-sterile, half-clean.

[BrandNewBabyNurse]

I've just started my first job in a level IV NICU, but we do sterile tubing changes for both centrals and PIVs. Have only observed so far, but I have a training on it next week. Seems a bit complicated compared to other skills I've done, but hopefully I'll get the hang of it!

[babyrnhlw]

PIV - clean.

Central and umbilical lines - We verify orders with two nurses, then only one nurse hangs the new fluids. But always sterile.