We had a patient who went to the OR and had tunnelled catheter placed - sent home from PACU - returned the next day for dressing change. Status on arrival- catheter was clamped but both lumens were without caps. Sent home that way and was like that for the 24 hours before returning. What should the plan be? Any way to avoid having the catheter replaced? Would antibiotic or alcohol (ethanol?) lock be ok to "fix" the problem??
Antibiotic locks or alcohol locks could definitely be tried before you replace the line. No reports to my knowledge about the outcomes for this particular situation. I would also make a trip to this OR to make sure they never do this again! Sounds like they need lots of education!!
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
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