Wiping off IV ports

[blondy2061h]

I almost exclusively have patient's with central lines at work, so scrubbing the ports before using them with an alcohol wipe is essential. When I do have a patient with a peripheral IV, however, when flushing it or connecting tubing I still scrub it with alcohol. I feel like this is how I was taught in school. My dad was in the hospital and people were constantly doing stuff with his IV, no alcohol wipe. I figured it was poor practice, but a short cut in a busy unit. Then I had to go to a different hospital for a CT scan, and there the nurse pushes contrast and connected fluids never using an alcohol wipe (except for insertion). Do you use alcohol wipes? Are they needed?

[Asystole RN]

I see where you are going with this, but i did do an internet search. Most of the stuff that comes up is forums (not evidence). The other stuff is related to Surgical site prep, venipuncture, and blood cultures. They refer to skin asepsis, not scrubbing the hub. I also checked the CDC which does not come down on either side of the issue. All of my texts state to use alcohol and I would like to keep up with EBP if what I am learning is wrong.

Perhaps it would be more productive to suggest search terms rather than imply I did not make an effort.

If anyone knows where to find this research and would be willing to share, i would appreciate it. Thanks.

PubMed might be a good place to start.

There is the Kaler article as mentioned but Menyhay, Lockman, and Ruschman have also published some articles relating to this, among others.

When searching for these kind of topics try to think of other types of lines and material that require similar disinfection.

[canned_bread]

I wipe all IV lines as it is going STRAIGHT in. It's common sense. Its laziness not to do it, and all it takes is one teeny tiny little bit of bacteria in a susceptible patient...

I also keep the end of the syringe sterile but I have seen nurses from the night shift who use a syringe for flushing, then tape it with the leftover saline in the syringe to the IV pump to use the rest of the saline in it for flushing the IV line again after the infusion has run. They tape it to the IV pump with no cap on the end, and then use the syringe without wiping it with alcohol or anything. I would use a fresh syringe, fresh saline to flush afterwards. Common sense to me, but hey!

[cborgel]

We dont have the alcohol caps at my facility, that I am aware of. I work at MMCR (redding,ca) which is Dignity Health.

[roseonye]

i always wipe. all the time. my pocket is always full of alcohol pads.

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I scrub for a few seconds. It's disgusting because I've seen some with cached blood and stuff. Eww