There's an internal debate at a local institution about using lower extremities for PIV access. For those hospitals that allow it, do you require an MD order ? What criteria are considered when deciding to place access in the feet or legs. Does your institution have personnel that can place IVs via U/S guidance ? Their availability ? Thoughts ?
Thanks,
DB
For all adults and peds patient that are walking, use of feet and legs should be the absolute last resort. If used, the catheter should dwell for as short a period as possible and immediately make plans for a more reliable site and type of VAD. I have refused to accept legal cases to defend nurses using sites in the feet and legs when this standard was not met and some horrible drug was given, e.g. Phenergan through a foot vein of an ambulating adult! Very stupid decision. If you have US guidance, why would you even consider using the foot or leg veins? That does not make sense to me. See INS Standard on Site Selection.
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