In the INS standards it states peripheral short catheters should not be used routinely for blood drawing. i am wondering what is the rational behind this and is there any evidence to support this?
Have you looked at the list of references following this standard? There are 22, so there was evidence then to support this standard. There are other newer studies pointing a much higher rate of hemolysis when samples are taken from an IV catheter upon insertion. Trying to take a sample at any point in the dwell time also risks greater vein damage and loosing the IV site much more quickly, along with the question of accurate results if fluids are infusing through the catheter. So you are not doing your patient any favors to use your peripheral IV site for obtaining a blood sample. Lynn
Have you looked at the list of references following this standard? There are 22, so there was evidence then to support this standard. There are other newer studies pointing a much higher rate of hemolysis when samples are taken from an IV catheter upon insertion. Trying to take a sample at any point in the dwell time also risks greater vein damage and loosing the IV site much more quickly, along with the question of accurate results if fluids are infusing through the catheter. So you are not doing your patient any favors to use your peripheral IV site for obtaining a blood sample. 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