Does anyone have a policy regarding this? If so, is it possible to get a copy? Our OB department is wanting something in place regarding the use of bacteriostatic saline injections to help temporarily deaden the skin prior to an IV insertion.
Does anyone have a policy regarding this? If so, is it possible to get a copy? Our OB department is wanting something in place regarding the use of bacteriostatic saline injections to help temporarily deaden the skin prior to an IV insertion.
I have used this as anesthesia for PICC and Central Line placement on patients with a documented lidocaine allergy. However, from patient feedback, it would seem that it does not have enough efficacy to make it worth an additional puncture for routine use.
Daniel Juckette RN, CCRN, VA-BC
Our IV team uses this exclusively as a numbing agent with great results. This is a team of 28 RNs, where numbing is encouraged with all IV insertions.
I have started thousands of IVs with this as a deadening agent with great success and satisfied patients. I have a habit of asking my patients if the numbing agent worked after the IV has been successfully placed, I would rate their approval at >98%.
Unfortunately, we do not have a specific policy that is directed at "bacteriostatic normal saline" because 1% lidocaine has also been used in the past by other departments. I believe our policy only mentions intradermal "numbing agent" in broader terms in the general IV insertion policy.
I routinely use bacteriostatic normal saline for numbing prior to iv starts. It works well. We added it to our policy as it is easier for nurse to get (does not have to be verified by our pharmacy before use), decreased if any allergy risk, does not sting like lido. We are strongly encouraging the use of numbing agent for piv start & this was the easiest, cheapest, and works well. E-mail me & I can send you our policy. [email protected]