Wow...needles?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Today I had a severe asthma attack and had to go to the ER, where I was given IV steroids.

When the nurse put the IV in, I was surprised to see it wasn't needleless- it was the kind that had to be accessed with a needled syringe. Then there were no prefilled saline flushes. She had to draw up flushes out of a bottle of saline. Then she pushed the drug and there was no shield to cover the needle on the syringe with.

Is this common? I haven't seen anything like this in...uhm...not since I've been working. I thought some of these things would be OSHA violations.

[Roseyposey]

We do not use needleless systems at my job, nor do we have pre-filled saline flushes. The needles do have safety shields on them, though.

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

Nope, definitely not an OSHA violation. Lots of facilities I've been at aren't needleless

[jennifers]

Takes time to get everyone on board I suppose. I have heard that the prefilled saline syringes are very expensive though. So if you have time to draw up your own you should.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Takes time to get everyone on board I suppose. I have heard that the prefilled saline syringes are very expensive though. So if you have time to draw up your own you should.

Drawing up your own seems like a huge time waster to me. I can't imagine how many flushes I go through in any given shift. Given the acuity this place typically deals with, they may not use as many IV meds, but the nurse was really good at IVs, so I'd guess she's placed quite a few.

[jennifers]

yeah, in emergencies i guess they are ok to use. But our hospital is on a serious budget. They are encouraging everyone to draw up their own if they have time due to costs. Every penny counts right now i guess. Did she at least get the IV on the first try! I hate getting iv's although it certainly gives me empathy for my patients after i've had one.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

yeah, in emergencies i guess they are ok to use. But our hospital is on a serious budget. They are encouraging everyone to draw up their own if they have time due to costs. Every penny counts right now i guess. Did she at least get the IV on the first try! I hate getting iv's although it certainly gives me empathy for my patients after i've had one.

Yep, she got it first try, and not even in the AC. Like I said, she was good.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Well, for the most part, we are needless in my ltc, but still have to use needles on some syringes.