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

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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?

I usually give blood using a pump so I am not sure the rationale behind that, personal preference maybe? If there was an emergency I would turn the pump off, not even touch the roller clamp!

Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
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.

Yes...I know what it for but you are correct that many do not know what that is for!

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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Wait a second- What little clip?

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