Size of Angiocath for IV

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Curious.....what size angiocath is routinely used for your labor and antepartum patients? We are using 18 gauges but of course, if we can't get it after a couple attempts, will use a smaller size. Our unit is considering using 20 g routinely, since blood, if needed, can be given with a 20 gauge. I appreciate your feedback! Thanks

Specializes in 4 years peds, 7 years L and D.

L and D nurse here, we routinely use an 18 gauge as well. Ours is green, our 20 is pink.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You bring up great points about the INS standards. Now if only we could get our MDAs to get "on board". They get so annoyed when they see a 20g IV in place. I remind them all the time of these things...but of course, "they are the MDs and I am the nurse" is the thought on their minds....sigh. It's hard to please everyone, that is for sure.

Anesthesia requests we start IV's with an 18 gauge.

However, we don't start an IV on a normal delivery unless they need antibiotics for a positive beta strep.

IV's are only started on patients being induced or going back for a planned cesarean and in the latter case, the CRNA usually starts it.

I usually use a 20 gauge . . . .

steph

If pts are there with anything that may end up with delivery they get 18's. If they are in with pylo, stones, hyperemesis, than we'll do 20's if we have to, but they usually get 18s too. We are starting to use more 1% lidocaine for analgesia for starts for pt comfort as many patients are complaining of painful starts, but that could lead to many other new threads (pt care vs. customer satisfaction, one stick or two, etc...):lol2:

The important thing to remember here is whether or not this is a pt on a med-surg floor, or a pt in a LTC facility vs. a pt who is in the field (just having a MVA) or ER or OB. In an emergency, yes, the larger bore IV catheters are the best, however, if the pt is stable, always choose the smallest gauge and length possible for the prescribed therapy.

As an anesthesia provider, patients come from all areas to the OR. Yes, alot of them are stable, but we still want a large bore IV. I get irritated when I get a 20g IV from the ER on a patient with acute abdomens, fractured hips, ectopic pregnancies etc... and we get the excuse that it's INS protocol, that the patients are stable. Well, now, but sometimes not for long. I just ask, that if you know your patient is going to the OR or there's a good possiblity, why not put in an IV that's usefull to the next provider? There was an earlier post regarding patients happier with just one stick, well if we get these 20gs or lower gauge IVs, guess what?... they get another stick from us with the explanation that the IV is too small for us.

You bring up great points about the INS standards. Now if only we could get our MDAs to get "on board". They get so annoyed when they see a 20g IV in place. I remind them all the time of these things...but of course, "they are the MDs and I am the nurse" is the thought on their minds....sigh. It's hard to please everyone, that is for sure.

See my above post. It's not about pleasing the anesthesia provider, but it's about putting in appropriate sized IVs for surgical procedures.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

For lady partsl deliveries? Even if they wind up a csection, volume can be infused very quickly in a 20g......

Anyhow I can see both sides here.

Anyone who gets up in arms about the occasional 20g in routine deliveries is being a bit dramatic IMO.

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