swabbing off iv ports or saline locks before hooking up fluids

caliotter3 · Nov 28, 2011

You are the one who used the word 'confession'. Who uses that term when talking about workplace issues on a public bulletin board, or otherwise? Perhaps you should become more aware of your own choice of words, particularly since you seem to be averse to humor. And why post such information here at all, then get peeved when someone takes notice of the humorous side? Yes, there are issues here.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2011

Sorry, caliotter3, I can only give one Kudo. :/

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2011

Alcoholing the port is good, but you also need to allow time for the alcohol to dry as that is when the majority of the antimicrobial action takes place. :up:

nursemichelle80, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2011

Is it just me, or are the OPs posts kinda weird?

To say the least. :confused:

ArtsyCraftsy · Nov 28, 2011

tjnurse67,

You said you came here for advice. To do that, I need some more information. You didn't really say much.

You said you previously didn't use the alcohol swabs for infection control, but now you do. And you said you reported your errors to infection control.

So what I don't understand is -- what are your concerns?

Do you still feel bad about your previous mistakes?

Or, are you worried about what may happen now that you reported it?

Also, please tell us why you decided to always clean the ports from now on. Did something happen to make you realize how important it is?

I just need more info in order to tell where you're coming from.

- thanks

allnurses Guide · Nov 28, 2011

LOL, they are the one who starting the "popping boils" thread!! :rotfl:

rn999 · Nov 28, 2011

Always, always have alcohol preps in your pocket even if it means they end up into your washer, too! :bugeyes:

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2011

I agree swabbing the IV port with alcohol is not negotiable. However, I'm a creature of habit. One of the most uncomfortable moments in my nursing career is when I stopped to swab the IV port before pushing the Epi during a code. I looked up to see a room full of shocked faces. I deserved it.

Obviously I don't attend many codes. I was enlisted during a shortage of nurses on a night shift. I still cringe when I think about that moment.

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2011

My hospital recently started stocking these nifty little Swab Caps that we use on all access sites on all of our tubing. The Caps have alcohol inside, and when you need to push a med or hook up a line, you just unscrew the Cap, push the med, then put on a new cap. Eliminates most of our uses of swabs.
These: http://www.excelsiormedical.com/swabcap.php
They also have flushes with the swab cab built into the end of the plunger.

These caps are nifty, and hopefully will reduce CRBSI's, however, they don't completely negate the use of alcohol pads. If I am getting ready to hang a 2pm IV Ancef into a peripheral IV catheter, I'll remove the swabcap, flush, scrub the hub with an ALCOHOL PAD for 15 seconds, hook up the Ancef, run it in over 30 minutes, disconnect, scrub the hub for another fifteen seconds with another ALCOHOL PAD and follow it by another saline flush. Then a new swab cap is placed. This will provide the patient with the BEST protection. And... It is the standard of care most infusion experts will encourage.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 28, 2011

Always, always have alcohol preps in your pocket even if it means they end up into your washer, too!

Glad I am not the only one that does this :lol2:

wooh, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2011

Actually standard of care would be using CHG, as alcohol doesn't do much more than move the germs around.

BunnySan27 · Nov 28, 2011

Yes, CHG is better than just alcohol wipe alone. The swab caps have CHG in them also and that's the point.of putting them on the ends of your lines, there is no need to remove cap and wipe again. Those little Orange caps are saturated with CHG and alcohol.