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Glenda Dennis
Q Syte by BD
I would like to hear from anyone who has used the Q-Syte split septum product by BD.  Have you experienced any increase in CRBSI?  Increase in leakage?  Have you seen problem with multiple access attempts through this product? 
Marilyn Hanchett
Glenda, Lifebridge Health
Glenda, Lifebridge Health System in Baltimore has been using this product but is currently exploring the possibility of replacing it. Trial of a different device is expected to begin in June 2009 in 3 locations. Please email me directly if you would like to discuss. Marilyn Hanchett RN  [email protected]
rmcbeath
Glenda, If you are having
Glenda, If you are having leaking, it may be that the connections are not tight enough. It is possible to luer on to the cap and have patency with out penetrating the valve completely, thus allowing leaking. Have your staff luer on to the cap as far as they can with out over tightening. As far as BSI's go I truly believe that if staff would "scrub the hub" BSI's would be greatly reduced if not eliminated. However, this is not always the case. I also work at Lifebridge Health on the vascular access team and we would like to see CHG prep pads used in place of alcohol for cap cleansing. The Q-syte is a split septum like the old Baxter interlink. I have not found any evidence as of yet supporting mechanical valves over a split septum. If you come across anything, I would appreciate it if you can share it with me. Thank you, Robin
jenRN
q syte

We used the q syte with the extension loop for our IV starts.  We found the loop end that twist connects with the Q syte would crack after several meds were given.  There is a possilbility that the cap tightens on the extension tubing hub with each twist on of syringe.  When the extension tube cracks the IV fluids/ meds and blood pour out of the IV...

It appears to be a manufacturing defect.  Shocked that it hasn't had widespread recall yet.

Halle Utter
Q syte

I work in homecare, and there are 2 hospitals in my area I know of that use the Qsyte.  My objection to the Qsyte is that is clear, and small, and when it is connected to a clear IV tubing it is difficult to differentiate where the cap begins and the tubing ends. I have had patients disconnect their infusion and remove the Qsyte with the tubing because it looks like a continuation of the tubing!  If it was a different color that would help.  I usually switch to the type of cap the providing homecare infusion company is supplying so don't have lengthy experience with it. 

Hallene E Utter, RN, BSN Intravenous Care, INC

lynncrni
Well, you may have a problem

Well, you may have a problem in the future because the trend seems to be moving toward clear needleless connectors for all. The reason is so the nurse can be able to tell if all the blood has been adequately flushed from the device. Many devices are now clear rather than opaque. 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

Halle Utter
Q syte

I don't think I'd mind the clear so much if it was shaped a little differently. It's a very short cap and when a tubing is attached it's more difficult to distinguish when the tubing ends and the cap begins.  Just sharing my experience with it. In homecare when one is teaching the patient to self administer, any and all color "keys" help! 

Halle Utter, RN, BSN

Denver metro area

Hallene E Utter, RN, BSN Intravenous Care, INC

Tom Billings
Clear vs vision

I find the clear discussion interesting.  Relying on eyesight can be misleading.  I would ask for flush recommendations and supportive data to KNOW when the device is free of hemoglobin.  Without my readers on I can't order at a restaurant!

Tom Billings, RN

Sr. Product Specialist

ICU Medical, Inc

plsysinc
Clear vs vision

I agree with Tom in that visual is only for gross contamination.  In addition, clear housing only allows the outer surface to be visualized.  Many of the connectors have working parts that are not visible.   It takes a study that demonstrates when a fluid pathway is cleaned.  Laboratory studies are fine for this. 

Denise Macklin

 

suzucal
Q-syte

We were using the Q-syte connectors for our patients' Hickman lines for several months.  Our patients are on long-term, continous infusion therapy.  We had a problem with the leaking.  Our elderly clients also had problems keeping them sterile as they are small and difficult to handle.  We have since changed to another type of connector.

 

Susan Di Giuseppe, RN, MSN

Michelle Todd CRNI
I trialed the IV cath product

I trialed the IV cath product that comes with the Q-site. The Q-site would not flush clear, even with 20 mL flush. The rep told me to turn the syringe a quarter turn to get it to clear but I found this too cumbersome to be teaching my nurses and not possible to teach to agency staff. You never know how many flushes to bring into the room. The negative reflux is the worst I have ever seen, which makes sense because the prime volume is high so that the flow rate is high. But this also means more places to have biofilm form. I also did not find that the cap is possible to clean fully because the slit extend too far into the product. Put some toothpaste on and try to scrub it off with the alcohol preps--good luck with that. I do see a use for this cap though. I think that all EMTs should use them because they need cheap products that are used very short term and high flow and they don't draw blood through their lines. The cap is changed to the hospital's cap as soon as they are admitted so there is not time to have the problems that Q-site has. I would never consider them for any other use.

I used the interlink type before and it seemed to come clear when scrubbed. But it was a negative pressure as well and I mostly just hate all the contraptions that go with them. I prefer the inVision Caps.

Michelle Todd, CRNI--Head PICC Nurse, Vibra Specialty Hospital of Portland [email protected]

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