LucyDDRN

Hi all you PICU nurses, I have recently started on a new unit that does not have many policies in place so I am working on standardizing some of our practices with our unit based councils. One of the incongruencies that I have found is the way each nurse changes their expired lines on their continuous gtts, especially when they are vasopressors. Some nurses are running a new pumP and then cutting out the old pump when there is a "bump" in the blood pressure (double pumping). Others are just switching a new syringe into the old pump. And others are starting a new pump and then switching over the lines quickly. Also when a few drips expire at once some RNs are starting a whole new pole with all the drips and repos if everything, others are doing the gtts one at a time. I was curious if anyone's PICU has a policy on this or if anyone has seen any research on which way is most effective? I would really appreciate any feedback! Thanks! Lucy