What do you use to monitor q 1-2h bedside blood sugars?

[tracylong]

What do you use to monitor q 1-2h bedside blood sugars?

I work in a 12 bed ICU. With the current trend leaning toward tighter glycemic control in the ICU setting we are monitoring bedside blood sugars every 1 - 2 hours. The problem that we are having is our patients fingers are taking the brunt of the testing so to speak, due to the multiple sticks. Is anyone using the new CBG machines where the blood sample is taking from the patients forearm like the One Touch from LifeScan? If so, does it appear to be as accurate as an Accu-Chek monitor?

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We use the One Touch but we don't do fingersticks. We put in a large bore IV and saline lock it, using it for our blood draws. Uses a bit more blood than a fingerstick, but only requires one poke. For our DKA patients we place an arterial line and use that for our blood draws. For quality control we will do a certain number of ABGs per shift as well as the One Touch, and validate the readings that way.

[TexasCCRN]

I also work in a 12 bed unit and if my patient's fingers weren't blue when they came in they are by the time they leave. I like the idea of art lines on DKA's and insulin drips. I have also taken it upon myself to start IV's and draw from them, but unfortunately the veins that we run into in the unit aren't always great. I do agree that we do need to do something about this problem. Whatever happened to this whole pain initiative thing? I know those fingers have got to hurt!

[begalli]

We use the "VAMP" system on our arterial lines for all blood draws. It's good because it's a closed, needleless system that enables us to conserve blood by literally taking just a drop for a bg and returning the "waste."

It's the second device at this url:

http://www.edwards.com/MedicalProfessionals/FindProducts/ProductList.aspx?ItemId=DA248FCF-CDE8-430F-80A1-283F49F7630A

[AmiK25]

We also use the vamp system. We use in on art lines and even the CVP port of a TLC if the patient has no art line.

[RNBEAUTY2003]

We here in Baltimore, use the "vamp" sysytem as well on a- lines, cvp's and sometimes to draw mixed venous. ( it's not mixed very well- but we do use it if we want a SVO2 and pt does not have a PA. Works nicely

[EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN]

It would be great if we had access to the new needless systems that work similiar to the pulse ox. Or someone could invent a cheap disposable system that is part of the CVP or Arterial lines so that you did not even have to remove the blood from the line. Just an idea.