RT's Drawing from a UAC

[megcourt]

:redbeathe In your Level III nurseries do the Respiratory Therapists draw blood from Umbilical Catheters or is this primarily the RN's responsibility?

[Christina_NICU]

At my level III NICU we're both trained to do it (UAC or PAL). They get their gases and we get our labs. Usually try and coordinate draws so we break into the line as little as possible. The RTs are the ones who start PALs. MD/ARNP/Transport RNs can place umbilical lines.

Like yesterday, I hadn't had a kid with an ART line in forever (we're reaaaally slow right now) and the RT stayed with me and went through it. :)

[ittybabyRN, RN]

In my unit MD's/NP's place PALS/UAC's but only the RN's draw from them, I have never seen an RT touch any kind of line...i've cross trained in the PICU/CICU and it is the same in those units as well

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

All of our RT's are trained the same we are in accessing the arterial lines. They will also draw from UVC's.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I've never seen an RT draw ANYTHING. We run our own gasses, call them to the docs, etc.

[PageRespiratory!]

At my level III NICU we're both trained to do it (UAC or PAL). They get their gases and we get our labs. Usually try and coordinate draws so we break into the line as little as possible. The RTs are the ones who start PALs. MD/ARNP/Transport RNs can place umbilical lines.

Like yesterday, I hadn't had a kid with an ART line in forever (we're reaaaally slow right now) and the RT stayed with me and went through it. :)

>Same in both NICU's I previously worked in. We also administered all the surfactant.

[PageRespiratory!]

I've never seen an RT draw ANYTHING. We run our own gasses, call them to the docs, etc.

>What an incredible waste of resources.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

>What an incredible waste of resources.

They are the only ones that make the vent changes physically (even though we know HOW as nurses...) and set up vents.. otherwise they watch movies in the resp room. I think I went into the wrong field!!

[Love_2_Learn]

Just the RNs for us to draw from UACs and PALs at all the places I have worked. The RRTs can do arterial sticks though.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

When I worked in AZ RT's intubated, did UAC, PAL blood draws for their gasses and lytes. They also curosurfed and performed arterial sticks. Us nurses did all our lab draws and were allowed to perform arterial sticks in the NICU with extra training. (primary nursing unit with no aides) on the other units, the CNA's did all venipunctures and heelsticks except central lines of course. Also a few RN's placed PICC lines. For the most part, we did everything (minus intubation) but it was nice that they were a resource if needed.

Back in AZ, if you drove a few miles into California, the nurses were allowed to do lines in the NICU with extra training as well.

It's different everywhere I guess.

I moved in Feb to another state and nurses don't do anything, aside from central line draws. Phlebo's come and do it.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

They are the only ones that make the vent changes physically (even though we know HOW as nurses...) and set up vents.. otherwise they watch movies in the resp room. I think I went into the wrong field!!

I swear I work with you.

[littleneoRN]

RTs don't draw labs in my unit. They run any point of care labs we need, do nebs and treatments, routine equipment checks, retape/reposition ETs, set up equipment, attend deliveries, help with trach changes and cares, go with babies to radiology, answer alarms, and respond to any respiratory concerns or emergencies. They are vital to our team, but I guess I don't see the fact that they don't draw labs as a waste of resources. It takes very little time for me to do a line draw...

As far as who does draws in our unit, RNs do venipuncture and line draws. Specially trained RNs do art sticks. Lab comes to do capillary draws.