Hello,
I am in the process of updating policies where I work. One policy that I am trying to get approved is that of the having a MD KVO order where the MD has to specify the KVO rate in an order. INS standards are very clear on this, but my hospital would rather put a KVO rate in a policy. I know this would not meet the standards of practioce, but I'm currious to see what other hosopitals are doing to adress this issue at all & what your current policy is or what you are doing?
Thx for your feedback.
Tara
Hi Tara,
I am also looking into updating (starting!) KVO policy at our hospital. I was thinking that we might write a policy that states that KVO must be part of a physician order, but that we could create a protocol so that physician order could read "KVO per protocol"
I would be interested to know what KVO rate your hospital is considering using, and WHY. I have been unable to find any research or evidence for rate determination. Our local infusion company uses 0.4cc/hr, but in-hospital KVO rates I am seeing range from 10-50cc/hr!!
Thanks,
Eva
HI,
After speaking with the INS education consultant about the standard on this, I was told that you really need to have a MD order, due to the fact that every patient's needs are different & what one patient may be able to tolerate for a KVO rate another may not. This makes sense & I actually agree with the standards.
I haven't found any research or statements supporting a specific KVO rate, infact I've read articles that support the need for flushing even though there is a continuous rate infusing, becuase of the laminar flow not being enough to clear the vein & prevent clot/fibrin formation
The issue is getting the nurses to obtain a KVO order & the Doc's to write it. See at the hospitak that I work at this has been an independent nursing action so it's a really hard sell. It's looked at as going backwards.
Tara Dennis, RN,BSN,CRNI
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