does any other hospital have a problem with floor nurses disconnecting patients from ther i.v.'s to get washed, go to xray, or even go to the rest room. This has become a common practice at my hospital, and no matter how much I explain that this is poor practice it is still done. Am I being unreasonable?
No, you are not being unreasonable. It has recently come to my attention that this practice is widespread. I have serious concerns about it on numerous levels. First is the obvious contamination risk with this disconnected tubing. How is it being managed while disconnected? Is the male luer end covered with a new sterile tip cap or blunt plastic cannula? Hub manipulation increases the risk of CRBSI. What is the procedure for properly identifying the patient and fluids upon reconnection?
Second, if the patient can do without the prescribed fluids long enough to go to radiology or to the shower, why are they on continuously infusing fluids anyway? What will this disconnection do to the therapeutic goals? Are there medications mixed in the fluids? How will this stoppage affect lab values? Do the nurses even consider these factors? If plain fluids are all that is being infused, can they be discontinued and the catheter converted for intermittent use? As you can see I have serious issues with this temporary disconnection, even for a few minutes.
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