Setting up A-lines in advance

We never set-up and leave a-lines and such sitting around for dyas. If we set one up for a case and do not use it, we will toss it the next day. it shouldn't take anyone more than 5 minutes to set up an a-line and the same for a hotline. I personally can do both in less than 5 minutes. Do you do that much heavy cases to warrant having this stuff set-up ready to go or is your anesthesia dept people not wanting to wait for it to be put together? I set-up these lines maybe once or twice a month, so I see no reason to have this hanging going to waste. Even the one place I work PT at does hearts and they never have this stuff just sitting around collecting dust, only made up when needed.

Our anesthesia department wants to have and IV via the hotline, an arterial line set up and the rapid infuser set up - meaning everything spiked and ready at all times. We are not that big of a hospital. There will be many times where this stuff is not used for days.

What do you do in your facilities - how long do you leave these IV's set up?

Thanks for your help

Sue

As a CRNA, that sounds pretty unnecessary to me. I agree with shodobe, use it when you need it. Its pretty standard that after 24 hours it should be discarded.

Mike

Yeah, some people I work with do the same, set the lines up in advance. I personally never do, its a waste of time and as someone already said only takes a few minutes. I know our lines a discarded after 24 hours, so their always dated and timed.