Our policy and practice dictates that PIVs inserted by radiology techs for contrast infusion must be removed following the study and therefore cannot be used for medication administration or IV fluid administration by a nurse. Does anyone have documentation to support this practice? What are other hospitals policies and practices?
Thank you
In my opinion, this is a very wise policy, however I cannot point you to a reference. The jet effect from high pressure injection can easily damage the vein wall making that catheter suseptible to complications. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
for a few years, and are moving to introduce it formally into policy - for all tech placed IVs.
The IVs placed for CT contrast, as Lynn states, are especially worrisome because not only are they power injected (mechanical trauma to vein) through an IV that is usually in the median cubital, median basilic, or median cephalic veins (more mechanical trauma) - contrast is a vesicant (chemical trauma).
Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center