Needleless IV access? Why aren't they always used?

[futurern123]

I was under the impression that IV systems are supposed to be needleless now (like when giving IV push drugs). Is it common that some facilities are still using syringes to push drugs? I'm a student, so I might be confused. I thought hospitals were supposed to use the connector types.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

There are different state laws ours in California is the Migden bill. Also remember most of these laws allow for use on no-safety devices if there is not a product available that will meet the institutions needs I am not certain how other states regulate this.....and remember the regulation here in Ca does not apply in all health care settings

[Son Tava]

You use what the facility provides. Don't ask why. Just do.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

you use what the facility provides. don't ask why. just do.

i disagree with this statement. as a staff rn, i was chair of our homecare agencies safety committee and led the changeover to needless iv, safety syringes and safety blood collection devices in 2001.

under federal safety standards for prevention of needlestick injuries, staff nurses are required to be part of any committee that evaluates and recommends facility product selection for syringes.

one has a right to ask questions of materials mangers/purchasing manger/nursing supervisor etc ---whoever is in charge of ordering equipment why needless systems not being used...in a polite way. one can always document issues with current equipment and ask for a review. when we were discussing change in products met with "we had no problems before, why do we need it" from managers on committee. manufactures were happy to send me samples which we tested on oranges on teaching arms---selected those with ease and cost in mind. many were surprised with the ease of glide of some syringes compared to our stock!

good sources of info:

[color=#0000cc]needlestick safety and prevention act requirements

provisions of the new law:

n requires health care employers to document in their exposure control plan that they have evaluated and implemented safety-engineered sharp devices and needleless systems in order to reduce employees' occupational exposure to hiv, hepatitis c and other bloodborne diseases; and

n requires that exposure control plans be reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect changes in sharps safety technology.

n requires each health care facility to maintain a sharps injury log with detailed information on percutaneous injuries (including type and brand of device involved in exposure incident, department where exposure occurred and an explanation of how it occurred).

n requires employers to solicit input from non-managerial (e.g., frontline) health care workers when identifying, evaluating and selecting safety-engineered sharp devices, and to document this process in the exposure control plan.

n expands the definition of "engineering controls" to include devices with engineered sharps injury protection.