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?

[GrowingBabies]

Our RTs can draw if necessary, but typically RNs draw all labs & gases & are responsible for reporting them to MD or NNP.

Our RTs stay busy with vents, hfov, and treatments. They will also assist in daily weights, linen changes, etc on kiddos with multiple lines, intubated, etc.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Ours draw all art lines, give survanta, treatments and can make certain changes on the vent per the gases. They help with intubations, can intubate if the docs are all at a delivery.

[babennp]

Normally it is the primary role of the NICU RN. However, I have worked in units where the NICU RT can or will draw them if the RN is busy. Currently, I work in a unit where the RT's have little to no NICU experience. They are checked off on drawing adult ABG's and think they should be able to draw off a UAC. We have decided at this point only the NICU RN can draw an abg from a PAL or UAC. Today, I walked in the unit and an RT drew a gas from a UAC and she had no idea how to flush the line because the set up is very different from an adults. Atleast, she knew her limitations and asked the appropriate questions. So I think you need to consider the RT's NICU experience.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

Our RT's get the same training as the RN's do....and they have to go thru our bacterimia inservice also on how to access lines with the proper technique.