Single vs. Double lumen

[ScammRNC]

My unit has always used double lumen UAC's, but after a change in suppliers we now have a difficult time obtaining a waveform on our in-line BP. Hardly ever works the first few days and it doesn't matter if it is a 23 weeker or a 34 weeker. Does anyone else use double lumen UAC's and if so do you have any problems with ABP? How about single lumen?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We always have an issue with double lumen UAC's, even more so with our new setups. We don't use them anymore, only double lumen UVs.

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

Weird, I've never even heard of double-lumen UACs! What's the point of having a double? Presumably you have to run something TKO in both? Does that present issues with getting enough maintenance fluids into a microprem when, say, a mL of your hourly rate goes just to keep the UAC open?

[babyNP., APRN]

Never heard of a facility using double-lumen UACs. Would be especially problematic for growth requirements as you are "wasting" a line, using up precious fluids that could be used for protein, dextrose, or intralipids.

What's the rationale on your unit for using a double lumen? I'm genuinely curious.

[katierobin23]

Following! I'm really curious too

[LeceNY_RN]

My hospital always uses a single lumen.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We used double lumens on the bigger sicker kids so we had more access. We didn't use them on micronates. We used it as a medline or for sedation.

[babyNP., APRN]

NicuGal- isn't that the purpose of a double lumen UVC? Do you use a double lumen UVC and a double lumen UAC?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We used both, especially on the big sick kids. Gave us that extra line so we didn't have to worry about incompatibilites so much. Also came in handy when giving blood products when all the other ports are in use, no

need to stop anything. This was before we had a peds IR doc(yeah!) to put in fem lines on these types of kids.

[HyperSaurus, RN, BSN]

Single lumen UACs only. Usually double lumen UVCs and occasionally double lumen PICCs.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I love the double lumen PICCs, that is what radiology puts in!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

We do not use double lumen lines for our UACs. We only use double-lumen UVCs in certain situations - ONLY on our pre/postop cardiac patients that require pressors, PGE1, Flolan, etc... The vast majority of our patients only need a single lumen UVC, and have a PICC placed the day the 48hr sepsis rule out is complete.