Tips on Drawing from Arterial Line

Specialties NICU

Published

I think it's just me, but a lot of the times it appears my samples get hemodiluted. I have asked others and they explain what to do and it seems that I'm doing it the same way, but the results are always off. I do clamp off the line and "waste" a few drops before collecting. Any tips or specific techniques? Thanks.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Still not getting it lol We always pulled back in our radial lines before we had this system and in a lot of years never had a kid lose their fingers, you just have to be slow and careful. And I do

Know it is not a "waste", it is just called that...no NICU I know if does a true waste.

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Specializes in NICU.

On our closed systems, we have 2 ports- a waste and your sample port. We draw back about 1-1.5 ml for "waste", and return it after getting the sample.

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Specializes in NICU, previously Mother baby.

Sorry I am no help either! We use a closed system (not sure on the brand) whether it's a UAC or PAL. You can draw back on a PAL you just have to be a little more careful the artery doesn't spasm. You draw back 2-3ml, and then we have this like plastic needle you put on a syringe that you put into a hub to draw the blood sample. When you're done with that you remove the plastic needle from the hub and give back your 2-3ml. I'm not sure why you would ever want to use an open system?

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