Reusing IV tubing - An infection control issue?

Specialties MICU

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Hello,

A fellow ICU nurse who was trained in another facility said that reusing IV tubing, let's say for a new bag of LR, is a no-go. If the tubing that is re-spiked with a new bag of whatever is less than 72 hours old, is this a problem? My fellow RN says it is an infection control issue and to never re-spike or reuse IV tubing even if the tube is not expired. Personally, I've been taught it is alright, provided you change it in a sterile fashion. I don't think we have a policy on this.

What say you and what says your facility??

Chris

ICU Navy Nurse in Germany

:typing

You also should be adhearing to the recommendation of the manufacturer of the Propofol, and have not seen them change it from the 12 hours as of yet. The 100 ml bottles are also good for only 6 hours and this has not changed either.

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Within 96hrs. respike is ok.

diprivan q12 and tpn/lipids q24

I'm sure there are other exceptions.

Ditto for our institution.

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CDC guidlines are for respiking and changing the tubing q 96 hours. Although many institutions still go with the 72 hour rule. Exceptions are TPN and Lipid containing products (like propofol) must be changed q 12 hours and/or q 24 hours because of their high infection control risk.

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Specializes in ICU.
I tend to hang new tubing when I come on shift (as things run out). I always hang brand new tubing when my propofol runs dry.

On our unit we change:

  • IV tubing every 48 hours
  • TPN tubing every 24 hours
  • Electrocath tubing every 48 hours
  • Transducer lines every 72 hours
  • Enteral feed giving sets every 24 hours
  • Vent tubing every 7 days (same for bipap circuits)
  • HMEs at least daily, or if waterlogged

Everything is dated as it is put up. We change tubing if there is no date sticker.

All patients are screened for MRSA (nose and groin swab) on admission. We also take urine sample for culture and sensitivity at the same time.

We have strict infection control policies and it seems to work.

What I don't like is where bags of antibiotics etc are given and just left there hanging till the next dose is due. I tend to throw them away and get fresh tubing.

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Specializes in ICU.
CDC guidlines are for respiking and changing the tubing q 96 hours. Although many institutions still go with the 72 hour rule. Exceptions are TPN and Lipid containing products (like propofol) must be changed q 12 hours and/or q 24 hours because of their high infection control risk.

I have been thinking about Propofol. We don't have any special guidelines for it at all...I am going to check into this.

Does anyone have any references/literature etc they could share?

Thankyou

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Specializes in OB-GYNE and Infection COntrol.
Hello,

A fellow ICU nurse who was trained in another facility said that reusing IV tubing, let's say for a new bag of LR, is a no-go. If the tubing that is re-spiked with a new bag of whatever is less than 72 hours old, is this a problem? My fellow RN says it is an infection control issue and to never re-spike or reuse IV tubing even if the tube is not expired. Personally, I've been taught it is alright, provided you change it in a sterile fashion. I don't think we have a policy on this.

What say you and what says your facility??

Chris

ICU Navy Nurse in Germany

:typing

Hi! I'm an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, actually as per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines, the IV tubings can be used for 72 hours given that everything will be changed too within 72 hours, which will include the IV Catheter perse, meaning we will reinsert the catheter. All needleless devices with it will also be changed all within 72 hours. The IV bag however should be ideally changed every 24 hours (even for orders of keeping vein open ). It is an established policy here in our hospital. You can browse the this guideline at http://www.cdc.gov

Hope this will help

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Why antibiotics for 24 hours? not 72?

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Specializes in OB-GYNE and Infection COntrol.
Why antibiotics for 24 hours? not 72?

hi sarahrain, it depends on the antibiotic actually. If it is Vancomycin then it will take time, since you cannot give this antibiotic on fast drip or even in bolus since it can cause the Red Man Phenomenon if given in fast drip or cause extravasation if given concentrated by bolus... they say all IV bags (CDC) except for some special bags can only be infused for 24 hours.. especially plain IV lines (those without additives)

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Specializes in Not too many areas I haven't dipped into.
Tubing 72 hours, TPN,propofol, ativan, and antibiotic tubing 24 hours

wE ARE 96 HOURS ON MOST TUBING

TPN, Ativan Q24

propofol q12 hrs

You also should be adhearing to the recommendation of the manufacturer of the Propofol, and have not seen them change it from the 12 hours as of yet. The 100 ml bottles are also good for only 6 hours and this has not changed either.

only good for 6 hours? I did not know that. Thanks

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Specializes in Emergency nursing, critical care nursing..
I was taught that Propofol tuning should be changed every TWELVE hours due to the high lipid content which is a breeding gorund for bacteria

Propofol and Lipids are changed Q24 hrs. This was part of the change last year.

No evidence of higher rates of infection with this.

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