I saw some mail about these recently and the catheters are popping up all of a sudden in our facility too. They want them removed/exchanged for a regular IV before they send patients to the regular units. I haven't seen one of these yet and know very little about them. Anyone out there who can share their knowledge and experience?
Michael Drafz
San Diego
I don't understand your question.
What are the catheters that you are referring to? What specifically is a rapid infusion catheter that is being used and needing changed for a "regular IV"?
Our focus has been on antecubital PIVs from the ER. We would love for them to be replaced before the pateint is transferred on admission to a regular nursing unit. We find that the antecubital IVs are causing problems with other complications.
Please clarify your question.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
I did an google search, I think it is an Arrow product.
http://www.arrowintl.com/products/all/catalog.asp?ID=9
This is all the information I have, I have never seen or used them personally.
Susan Schuetrumpf, RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Atlanta GA
I did some more investigation and it turns out that these are just large bore angiocaths, 14-16g PIV's, sometimes up to 2inches long. These are placed on patients before surgery which might require fluid rescucitation.
What I am discussing with their educators is why they want them removed and a new PIV started before they can transfer out of SICU. I am not sure where this came from.
Michael Drafz RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Clinical Lead Vascular Access Service
Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus
San Diego, CA