I may have heard wrong and getting ready to get our iv policy changed but length of time a tourniquet is left on? I thought I heard now 1 minute. Can anyone give me location in standard book so I can quote standard
See phlebotomy standard. When drawing a blood sample for the lab, tourniquet time needs to be less than 1 minute. When using a PIV for drawing a sample, finish the complete insertion procedure, removing tourniquet, stabilize, dress, etc. Then draw sample. When tourniquet has been on for longer than 1 minute, there are changes in the endothelial vein lining that produces changes in the lab values. Lynn
The comment about limiting tourniquet time to less than 1 minute is part of the section on Blood Sampling via Direct Venipuncture. In the section for Blood Sampling via a Vascular Access Device, for PIVs, it only states "lengthy tourniquet time and difficult catheter insertion can produce inaccurate lab values." Why are the standards not as specific with PIVs as with peripheral draws? What is "lengthy"?
The evidence for tourniquet time is from studies on direct venipuncture only, thus the definitive statement in the section on Direct Venipuncture. One reference for the statement about short peripheral catheters comes from a study using a butterfly and is very specific aboout tourniquet time being less than 1 minute. The other reference is about short peripheral catheter draws and it states "extended tourniquet time". So there is not direct evidence for drawing from peripheral catheters but the principles are the same. Every single question will never be answered by evidence so we have to apply information about one practice to similar practices. Lynn
See phlebotomy standard. When drawing a blood sample for the lab, tourniquet time needs to be less than 1 minute. When using a PIV for drawing a sample, finish the complete insertion procedure, removing tourniquet, stabilize, dress, etc. Then draw sample. When tourniquet has been on for longer than 1 minute, there are changes in the endothelial vein lining that produces changes in the lab values. 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
thank you.
The comment about limiting tourniquet time to less than 1 minute is part of the section on Blood Sampling via Direct Venipuncture. In the section for Blood Sampling via a Vascular Access Device, for PIVs, it only states "lengthy tourniquet time and difficult catheter insertion can produce inaccurate lab values." Why are the standards not as specific with PIVs as with peripheral draws? What is "lengthy"?
Wendy Erickson RN
Eau Claire WI
The evidence for tourniquet time is from studies on direct venipuncture only, thus the definitive statement in the section on Direct Venipuncture. One reference for the statement about short peripheral catheters comes from a study using a butterfly and is very specific aboout tourniquet time being less than 1 minute. The other reference is about short peripheral catheter draws and it states "extended tourniquet time". So there is not direct evidence for drawing from peripheral catheters but the principles are the same. Every single question will never be answered by evidence so we have to apply information about one practice to similar practices. 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
Oh, but we WANT EVERY question answered!! :)
OK - thanks
Wendy Erickson RN
Eau Claire WI
Then do more research!! LOL, 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