Pitocin as a secondary on a pump?

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Hello all,

We are in the process of revising out pitocin policy for induction/augmentation. We have recently been told that when we set up our IV's we need to have a mainline that will be used for boluses (not on a pump), our normal IV fluid (at 125) is to run on a pump. The question is: Can pitocin be hooked up as a secondary on the pump? the mainline (no pump) would be what would be used for fluid boluses etc. My manager says that this is the way that this is the way that she wants it done (pitocin as a secondary on the pump). Thoughts?? Does anyone else do this? Thank you!!!

Specializes in L0-high risk OB, PP/NBN, Med/Surg.

We are going to the ACOG recommended 1:1 pitocin concentration soon at two local hospitals. This should be easier & safer for the nurses since there are no calculations involved for either induction or augmentation of labor. My two questions however are:

1. What is your "bolus" rate for immediately after delivery of the placenta?

2. How many bags of the higher concentration do your OBs want for the PP period?

We had 2 bags at 125mL/hr of the old concentration (20u in 1000mL)= 42mL/hr of the new concentration (15u in 250mL), but can't find any recommendations of how much to run. Don't you just love all the questions with no clear answers in OB?

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Specializes in High Risk OB.

After the placenta we have 20u pit in 1000cc LR and run it wide open..there has been talk that we will be giving a second bag of 20u following at 125/hr.

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Specializes in PEDS/NSY/L&D/med-surg.

We used to do the old 20u/1liter of LR. We now do a 1:1 ratio. We have 30u/500ml LR for induction/augmentation. When the placenta delivers, we bolus the remaining amount left in the original (hopefully) 500mls, then we run a second bag of the same mix at 63/hr.

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