Peripherally catheter

rainbows4me · Oct 28, 2005

Yeah, but from what I understand they still recommend not using anything smaller than a 10cc syringe. We question it, too, because on a daily basis we're giving stuff like 0.1cc SIVP meds through our lines. They gave us new flushes - they're filled to 3cc but the barrel of the syringe is as big as a 10cc syringe, to give the same amount of pressure. We still give lots with a 1cc syringe though even though they keep telling us we're not supposed to. How else can you accurately give such small amounts?

EXACTLY! Sure, you can say dilute it, but when you're dealing with a micropremie - doesn't take much for the c/k/d to through the roof! I find it happening all of the time with Fentanyl - I'm giving 0.13cc - you want me to put that in a 5cc syringe?? The dead space in that syringe is probably about that much! When it's not an issue of immediate timing, sometimes I'll give small amounts like that using the 1cc syringe but give it through an in-line port close to the baby. I don't clamp the line, so the pressure I'm using (in theory although I still question how much pressure can be created pushing .13cc) is absorbed by the tubing which is a large diameter - not the picc line. Our protocol is certainly different from our practice in this area. I wish there was a better way...