YouTube follies?!

[lavenderskies, BSN]

Can I just say up front...I LOVE YouTube. :)

But it drives me batty crazy to see people who present themselves as professionals intending to share knowledge (admirable and appreciated) that clearly have mistakes and breeches of aseptic technique in their how-to videos.

Example--I was reviewing some YouTube videos (hoping to find one to recommend) on an IV start procedure. I watched several highly viewed selections. Sigh.

Mistakes like:

--Applying the tourniquet before site & material prep--which not only is uncomfortable/painful to the patient but can also cause problems with venous spasms and collapse. I suppose there are some that could get site prep done fast enough in real life if they had all their materials ready but for the video? No.

--Touching the catheter where it meets the hub (where eventually it will be at the skin) with a clean (not sterile) glove--contamination.

--Palpating the access site with a clean (not sterile) glove after site prep but before the stick, effectively contaminating the prepped site.

--Site prep tape strips on the bedside table (granted these may be older videos before this practice became discouraged).

Etc cetera.

Makes me cringe.

Bottom line, keep in mind just because it looks professional.....it might not be best practice.

If you have a favorite procedure video or any nursing video I'd LOVE to watch it, feel free to share in the comments.