Can anyone please help me with finding evidence on how often bags/bottles should be changed. I have always done this every 24 hours but I need to find this in writing. I have searched the standards from INS and I just can't seem to find it anywhere unless I am just missing it. Our infection control nurse states the CDC has not determined how often the fluids should be changed.
Thanks,
Kim Springer
Educator
I think the statement about 24 hours for a fluid container is in the INS standard on Parenteral Fluid and Medications, but do not recall the number. You are correct that CDC no longer makes a statement about this due to the fact that the evidence is very old and actually stems from a large outbreak of infection caused by one type of glass bottle closure from the early 1970's. There has not been any recent work on this issue. 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
Lynn, thanks so much for your prompt reply. This question has come up because we have not been changing our morphine drips out every 24 hours. Do you know if most places change thier fluid bags every 24 hours?
Yes, I think most facilities still have 24 hours as their policy for changing all fluid containers. The exception to this would be home care and other situations where the fluid container meets the critiera also listed in that INS standard on parenteral fluids and medications - no injection ports on the tubing, a completely closed system from container to catheter, etc. This happens with some ambulatory pump sets that are fixed to the fluid container. Change frequency on this would be dicatated by the stability of the fluid inside. 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
I have seen morphine solutions (prepared via Pharmacy reg - 797 using the utmost sterile preparation) being used for longer than 24 hours.
Depending on the pharmacy guidelines for how long sterility is maintained - it is possible - with the closed system Lynn mentioned, that extended hang time may be an option. I beleive I have seen this with dilaudid also.
Ann Zonderman, BSN, JD, CRNI