swab stopcock before IV push?

[RNcathlab]

Do you always use an alcohol prep pad before giving an IV push medication? Has anyone ever heard the threory that using alcohol prep pads to clean a stopcock before giving IV push meds is not useful unless it sits for at least 3 minutes first and is allowed to dry? I have also heard that wiping with an alcohol prep pad and then immediately pushing meds can cause harm to the vein. I have worked with nurses in an ICU where 50% used alcohol prep and 50% did not when giving medications IV push.

[Dayray, RN]

I only Swab during codes.

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

Just kidding but I'm wondering does anyone have a study on how productive swabbing really is?

Seeing all the people here saying that they always swabs makes me a little embarrassed to say that "I don't do it". I vaguely remember a lesson on this in nursing school and I think they said it really wasn't effective at all. We don't use needeless stopcocks just rubber ports; does that make a difference?

I always swab for IM's and SQ's but don't think I ever have for pushes. The other day I was orienting a new grad and silently chuckled when I saw her swabbing the port. Maybe I should learn from her?

My original training was in EMS so maybe it's just a bad habit I picked up because we were always coding people when I would push stuff.

[Dayray, RN]

I always use alcohol prior to using a port on a peripheral or central line (unless impractical during a code). It is hospital policy, too.

Should'nt useing alcohol be reserved for after work?

Sorry, I'm in a silly mood. Probably due to lack of sleep

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Originally Posted by Zee_RN

I always use alcohol prior to using a port on a peripheral or central line (unless impractical during a code). It is hospital policy, too.

Not povidone iodine?

[Jo Dirt]

When I was taking the lab portion of the Excelsior College clinical, we had to swab the ports, not only before first flush, before med to be pushed, and before the last flush.

[NP2BE]

ok, i think we can close the topic now, overwhelmingly in favor of swabbery

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I wouldn't mind seeing a poll on this.

[isadoragag]

what does a stop cock do?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I always swab.

[premedturnednursing]

not nurse yet, but i've worked in pharmacy for the last 7 years, the last bit of it being in the iv room where i prepped, mixed, prepared iv fluids. in the pharmacy, we ALWAYS swab vials, bags, containers in which we are about to insert medications, but i was always taught that the alcohol has to have contact of at least 8 seconds in order to be effective.

that's just my 2 cents.....

[Kerrigan 06]

I swab. If I have swabbed in the last few minutes and I find myself to be out of swabs, I skip it.

I think I've only pushed one drug during an actual code, and I didn't swab that time.

When we switched to the Alaris IV pumps back in April, we got an inservice on the new pumps and tubing. The representative told us that we are to let the alcohol dry on the port for 30 seconds before inserting the port/needle.

I don't wait 30 seconds. I don't know any other nurses who do.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

Oh my hair is curling with the thought of anyone entering a central line without cleansing that port!!!! Except in a code or emergency!!!! Besides good handwashing, that is one of the main culprits of central line infections!!!

We have instituted a central line bundle for our ICU's which is from IHI.org It clearly states that you need to swab the ports before, let dry, and after. We also use "closed" system in which we leave the needless device on and only switch the syringes and then take the whole shibang off when we are done. No ports ever have a syringe hanging off them.

If I were lying in a hospital bed and saw someone coming to hook something into ANY line I had without cleaning it, they wouldn't want me as their patient anymore!!!

[allthingsbright]

from a newbie--we were taught to swab in school. so i swab until told differently in my new job. havent seen any studies either way. :)