The answer is simple. Don't use tape. Use a manufactured catheter stabilization device instead. Outcomes are far better than with tape. If there is no way that these devices can be made available to you, you should have a small roll of tape inside an IV start kit. Tear off only one piece and put it somewhere convenient in the patient's environment. Do not put it on your clothing as it will pick up bugs. Also do not use tape from rolls that are found in nursing stations, carried around in your pocket, etc. A study has shown tape from these rolls to be contaminated with pathogenic organisms in 74% of the samples tested.
The answer is simple. Don't use tape. Use a manufactured catheter stabilization device instead. Outcomes are far better than with tape. If there is no way that these devices can be made available to you, you should have a small roll of tape inside an IV start kit. Tear off only one piece and put it somewhere convenient in the patient's environment. Do not put it on your clothing as it will pick up bugs. Also do not use tape from rolls that are found in nursing stations, carried around in your pocket, etc. A study has shown tape from these rolls to be contaminated with pathogenic organisms in 74% of the samples tested.
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
One other thing - the INS standards of practice calls for documenting the method of catheter stabilization used. So chart tape , etc.
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