When do you change iv tubing

Hand hygiene with ABHR. Verify and select correct IV solution bag and compare to the medication administration record MAR or physician orders. Introduce yourself, identify patient, and explain procedure.

Proper identification of a patient prevents medication errors. Explaining the procedure provides an opportunity for the patient to ask questions. Hand hygiene prevents the transmission of microorganisms. Remove outer plastic packaging and squeeze bag to test for leaks and expiration date.

Assess for precipitates or cloudiness. Hang new IV solution on IV pole. This ensures the correct IV solution is used. Pause the EID or close the roller clamp on a gravity infusion set. Stops the infusion to prevent air bubbles from forming in IV tubing. Remove protective plastic cover from the new IV solution tubing port. Keep IV tubing port sterile at all times. If IV tubing port becomes contaminated, dispose of it immediately and replace.

Remove the old IV solution bag from the IV pole. Turn IV bag upside down, grasping the tubing port. Ensure IV tubing spike remains sterile during removal to avoid contaminating IV tubing. Spike new IV solution. Fill the drip chamber by compressing it between your thumb and forefinger. Ensure the drip chamber is one-third to one-half full. Check IV tubing for air bubbles. Fluid in the drip chamber helps prevent air from being introduced into IV tubing. Fill drip chamber IV tubing label.

Open clamp and regulate IV infusion rate via gravity, or press start on the EID as per physician orders. Once rate is set, count the drops per minute on the gravity set or ensure the EID is running at the correct rate as per physician orders. Regulate IV tubing with a roller clamp. Label new IV solution bag as per agency policy. Time tape gravity IV solutions as per agency policy.

Labelling IV solutions provides easy viewing of infusing solutions and additives. Dispose of used supplies, perform hand hygiene, and document IV solution bag change according to agency policy.

Document time, date, type of solution, rate, and total volume. Verify physician orders for the type of solution, rate, and duration. Veins should be selected by touch to ensure that a vein is not too frail to be stuck. This may not help if a patient has low blood pressure. In this case, BP cuffs rather than tourniquets should be utilized.

If veins are still difficult to locate, imaging software such as ultrasound should be used to locate a proper vein; however, the use of this technology must be documented.

We are all prone to human error, and because of that, we must create an environment that minimizes human error as much as possible.

Having two healthcare workers present when an IV is being changed is one way to ensure that protocol is being followed and will allow for extra support if something does go wrong. Peripheral arterial catheters No recommendation for the frequency of the catheter replacement. Replace dressing when the catheter is replaced, or when the dressing becomes damp, loosened, or soiled, or when inspection of the site is necessary.

Replace the intravenous tubing at the time the transducer is replaced i. Replace the flush solution at the time the transducer is replaced i. Central venous catheters including peripherally inserted central catheters and hemodialysis catheters In adults , do not replace catheters routinely to prevent catheter-related infection. In pediatric patients, no recommendation for the frequency of catheter replacement.

Replace disposable or reusable transducers at hour intervals. Replace continuous flush device at the time the transducer is replaced. Replace gauze dressings every 2 days and transparent dressings every 7 days on short-term catheters.

Replace the dressing when the catheter is replaced, or when the dressing becomes damp, loosened, or soiled, or when inspection of the site is necessary. Replace intravenous tubing and add-on devices no more frequently than at hour intervals. Replace tubing used to administer blood products or lipid emulsions within 24 hours of initiating the infusion.

No recommendation for the hang time of intravenous fluids, including nonlipid-containing parenteral nutrition fluids. Complete infusions of lipid-containing fluids within 24 hours of hanging the fluid. Pulmonary artery Do not routinely replace catheters. Umbilical catheters Do not replace catheter to prevent catheter-related infection.

Do not routinely replace catheters. Not applicable. Complete infusion of lipid-containing fluids within 24 hours of hanging the fluid. If the tubing has been used less than three days, disconnect the IV tubing from the cap on your catheter and place a new red cap onto the end of the flow controller tubing this will keep the IV tubing sterile for reuse. Keep empty bag attached to tubing see next section to learn how to reuse tubing. What are the 3 main types of IV fluids?

The three types of crystalloids are: Hypotonic: When the extracellular fluid has fewer solutes osmolarity than the fluid in the cells. Water will move from extracellular space into the cells. Hypertonic: When the extracellular fluid has more solutes osmolarity than within the cells, water flows out of the cells. How much air in IV tubing is harmful? Therefore, the lethal volume of air may be greater in adults with normal cardiac function. In summary, estimates of — ml air have been reported to be lethal.

How long are IV lines good for? Can air bubbles in an IV line do any damage? All air bubbles are foreign to our circulation and the majority can easily be removed from an intravenous line before entering the patient's circulation.

But more importantly, air bubbles have the potential to cause harm and are not in the best interest of the patient … let me explain why.