Hi all! I recently helped to get the backflush method going on our unit, and hopefully soon we will be able to push it through facility wide. I had a question come up regarding the tubing change. If a patient is receiving continuous fluids through a Port or through a single lumen CVC, and we draw blood from that site, do we then need to change out all of the tubing? What if we left the tubing attached to the patient while we waited for our "stop time" prior to drawing labs, then immediately before the draw disconnected and placed a sterile cover over the male end; could we then keep it for the 96 hours, since we didn't leave the room with it disconnected? Thanks in advance!
Erin, RN
Yes. Covered, protected monitored male luer tip during time required to draw sample does not indicate need to change tubing. Consolidate all blood draws to minimum number to reduce this extra manipulation to the minimum number. See. INS standard on Phlebotomy for other options for reducing hospital acquired anemia
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
Thank you so much Lynn! This is as big help, and everyone on my floor will be happy to hear this!
Erin Spires, RN