Hi,
Does anyone have references or recommendations R/T drawing PTTs from a site above a running heparin drip. Certainly, the first choice would be to use the opposite arm but sometimes those sites are unaccessible.
If PTTs need to drawn from a site above an IV with heparin infusing:
Should the drip be turned off, if so how long?
Should a certain amt of blood be discarded before obtaining a sample?
Any references?
Thanks in advance for the information.
Hannah
I do not recall ever seeing any studies on these issues. I checked the new 2011 Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice #57 Phlebotomy via Direct Venipuncture. "Venipuncture for the purpose of phlebotomy should be drawn from the opposite extremity of an infusion. Should venipuncture be required on the extremity with a VAD infusion, it should be performed in a vein below the device or infusion." Ranking of V The 2 references for this statement comes from textbooks probably indicating there are no studies on these issues, thus the low ranking. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
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Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861