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maureen lawler
Power Injectable Implanted VADs

Int Rad only using power VADs at this time.  THey started with the Bard and want to try others.  Our Emerg Rm and Oncology unit have always accessed their own non power VADs.  My concern is that we are going to have two different kinds of non coring access needles "hanging around", power and non power.  Someone is going to put a power needle in a non power VAD and we're going to have an accident in CT Scan.  Evev if our IR limited their use to one type of  power VAD we will get patients from other facilities especially since in addition to acute care beds we are physically connected to and service 160 acute rehab beds.

For the short term only IV Team and CT RN on days Mon-Fri is identifying and accessing these but as these become more popular it is going to have an impact on our IV Team on the off shifts who already have their hands full.

How are other teams dealing with this?

Kristin Walker
I am so glad to hear I
I am so glad to hear I wasn't the  only one with this major concern.  I keep trying to tell administration that this is just one more reason why we need to have a dedicated IV team in order to trouble shoot these type of issues.  I know it is just a matter of time before a non-power injectable port is accessed with a Power Loc needle.  If I'm not mistaken, not only would a CT power injection through this device possibly ruin the port, you are also looking at a possible extravasation and then a law suit.  I would love to hear everybody else's opion on this!!

Kristin Walker RN, BSN, OCN Maui Memorial Medical Center IV dept.

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