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Alma Kooistra
Valved caps and the NICU

Greetings!

I have a question from our NICU.  How often do you change your valved endcaps on PICCs in the NICU?

They're looking for guidance.......

Thanks! 

Alma Kooistra RN CRNI

lynncrni
The same as you would for

The same as you would for any other patient population. According to the CDC, all needleless connectors should be changed at the same interval as the tubing is changed. This is in the CDC guidelines. No difference by type of catheter or patient population listed. 

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

Alma Kooistra
So if they are changing

So if they are changing tubings every 24 hours they would replace the valved endcaps every 24 hours as well?

Alma Kooistra RN CRNI

lynncrni
If there is continuous

If there is continuous fluids infusing, then I question why there is a needleless connector inline to every worry about changing. There is no need for it to be present when there are continuous fluids infusing on any age group.  Needleless connectors are for the purpose of making intermittent infusions safer. For intermittent infusions, you should change these connectors with the same frequency as your policy for changing continuous tubing - no more frequently than 72 hours according to CDC. But they should be changed at least weekly or at the frequency instructed by the manufacturer. 

 

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

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