What we mean is thae bags of saline you use for pressure bags, carrier lines and other misc. uses. Currently we don't have orders or policy to cover the use of this saline although everyone knows that you need a pressure bag for a central line CVP or an art line. Without an order the saline isn't entered into the computer and therefore there is not way to charge for it. We are looking into ways to change this. Do you at your institution have an Critical Care order set that includes standing orders for Saline for pressure bags? Saline for carriers?
Speaking of Saline for carriers... Our usual practice is to run a carrier line with a secondary set used to deliver the multiple antibiotics typical for an ICU patient not to mention K+ & Mg runs and to provide a "push" line. Currently there is no order for this saline so it is not accounted for. In a discussion with one of our directors she wanted proof of "evidenced based practice" that shows a carrier is good practice. Our contention is that it is better to have one line connected to patient that is only broken when hanging a piggyback rather than hanging each piggyback on a seperate line and repeatedly exposing the hub of a central line by frequent connecting and disconnecting of antibiotic lines. Does anyone know of anything written about the use of carriers in the ICU?
What is the practice where you are?
How do you charge for the miscellaneous bags of saline?
Are they included in a standard ICU admission order set?
