Why did my senior place the iv roller clamp near iv site during blood transfusion?

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He hooked the transfusion set via the main line port. He then moved the main line's roller clamp down near the iv site. I asked him why he did this but he didn't know why, it was simply how it's done. I've done blood transfusion before in another hospital but this is the first time seeing this. Have you encountered this before? What's the rationalization behind it?

Probably personal preference. I don't like my roller clamps being too high up either

I would imagine it has to do with the thought that if there was a transfusion reaction you could shut it off quickly and limit the amount of blood that reached the patient.

While it seems logical shutting the roller clamp off anywhere along the line would accomplish the same thing.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Reminds me of the story of the mom who always cut the end off the ham before putting it in the oven. Her daughter then did the same when she was a married woman. When HER daughter asked why she said "Well, my mother always did." So they asked Grandma.

Grandma said, "Well, I don't know why you do, but my pan was too small."

Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

The roller clamp should never be located on any part of tbe tubing where it can inadvertently rolled up or down.If it is near the site this can happen with patient movement or sleep position Best to have it several inches below the drip chamber.

Don't understand why the roller clamp is an issue.

Unless the blood is being administered wide open in an emergent situation, it should be on an infusion pump.

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

In Cath lab I always had the roller clamp high so it was easier to access. In the ER I always have it mid length so its easier to access. Its all about personal preference. It does not matter where it is at

Specializes in Education.

If it's not on a pump, I always make sure the roller clamps are up high. That's just so that I can grab them quickly if needed and I don't have to trace two feet of IV lines.

It's something along the lines of when I write down what needs to be done for a patient, I color code it. Medications are in one color, tests another, procedures a third.

Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

I too put my roller clamp just a few inches below the drip chamber. Then I use the little clip on the back of the clamp to secure the tubing in a loop to keep it from getting caught on stuff or hanging on the floor.

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I too put my roller clamp just a few inches below the drip chamber. Then I use the little clip on the back of the clamp to secure the tubing in a loop to keep it from getting caught on stuff or hanging on the floor.

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And do you know how many nurses know that little clip is there, much less what it is for?

Every time I use it, there is somebody that it amazed it is there and so useful.

I have always moved the roller up as high as I can, just easier to find.

Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
And do you know how many nurses know that little clip is there, much less what it is for?

Every time I use it, there is somebody that it amazed it is there and so useful.

I have always moved the roller up as high as I can, just easier to find.

I would hazard a guess at less than 25%. Let's do a survey project on it shall we?

That's why I pointed it out in the picture. I didn't think most people would know what I was referring to when I described the "little clip".

Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.
And do you know how many nurses know that little clip is there, much less what it is for?

Every time I use it, there is somebody that it amazed it is there and so useful.

I have always moved the roller up as high as I can, just easier to find.

HONESTLY, I NEVER knew that the little clip was there, much less what it was used for.. And I've been a nurse for over 10years... LOL.. I laughed at myself when I read your post. :lol2:

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