Dealing with open heart patients and severely septic often leaves little iv access. What are your thoughts on the IV drug manifolds and the use of a carrier solution such as saline?
Can you ensure strict adherence to closure of those ports with a dead-end cap between uses? These are actually multiple stopcocks on a rigid piece of plastic. Stopcocks are associated with a higher risk of infection and their general use should be discouraged. For patients with a hugh number of intermittent meds, it could be possible to use multiple administration sets and leave them connected to each stopcock. You must assess for drug compatibility first though. 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