Can anyone please send me supporting documentation as to the importance of using the appropriate and intended use of labels for IV bags and flush bags? I have a few nurses who are stating that the need for extra labeling of IV bags is redundant. They want to use the patient labels that are printed on admission and write dates and times on this rather than using the labels that were purchased for the IV bags, knowing they are safe for the patient. I understand that some glues that are used can leach into the IV solutions and cause contamination of the solutions. I also understand that writing on these bags can also have the same consequence. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You RW
I am a little confused by what you are asking. Most of the time, all fluid containers are being delivered from the pharmacy with a pharmacy label added that contains pertinent information such as patient name, exact order, rate of infusion, etc. Are you asking about fluid containers that do not require any additional medications that are taken from a floor stock? I have never seen anything about glue leaching through the plastic bag, however ink from markers can leach. If you are talking about floor stock bags, are you expecting an additional label to be added by the nurse with patient name, etc? Please remember that anything compounding on the nursing unit and outside of a laminar air flow workbench must be infused within 1 hour according to USP 797, so anything with meds added must come from the pharmacy. The only other label I would want to add is a time strip label. With all of the problems with infusion pumps recently, I want that time strip to indicate time up, time it should be infused and marked intervals in between so I can quickly determine if the flow is on time. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thank you for your comment. I am referring to the stock bags, for IV fluids and flush bags. Yes I am expecting the stock bag to be labeled with, date, time up and time down ... I work for a two hospital facility and I am trying to streamline practice. In August we are moving both facilites into a new hospital. I would like to have all the nurses performing the same labeling process for IV bags, tubing, ect by the time this event rolls around. Up unitl now each unit does something a little different. I just started this job late last year and change has been very trying.
Alsi, as I mentioned earlier I thought that I had read an article in regards to the glue on different labels, I just can't recall where I ran across this information. RW
Rhonda Ward, RN
Vascular Access Specialist
ORMC
Middletown, NY
[email protected]
I don't know if the adhesive on the patient labels (that's what we call them--has their name, M number, DOB, V number, Dr) is different than the adhesive on the backs of IV stickers (that is what we call them). I believe you are trying to think about leaching into your IV bag, is that correct?
I think the bigger issue is using things as their intended use, and your policy. I hear a lot about the problems that come up when things aren't used as they were intended. Your patient labels aren't there for time marking IV bags. I bet your policy states the use for both these products. I would start there and re-explain it.
I'm guessing this, but I bet the nurses see lots of extra patient labels printed off go in the shredder, and they are trying to decrease waste. Maybe they could work through your Nurse Practice Council and propose an improvement to the issue they identified. Until then, you have your policy.
Kathleen Wilson, CRNI
Thanks for the reply. Yes, the bigger issue is to have the labels used for their inteded use and to follow the policy guidelines and place a label that has been desginated for that purpose. They are easier to read and identify problems when used properly. We do see the patient labels all over everything.
As far as the glue, I thought I remember reading an article that indicated that all labels were not created equal and that those intended for IV bags are made speicfically for that purpose. the patient labels have a different purpose. I think the nurse think that labeling the stock bags and flush bags is completely redundent. To me its a short cut and they need to understand the importance of following the policy.
RW
Rhonda Ward, RN
Vascular Access Specialist
ORMC
Middletown, NY
[email protected]
I have never seen such an article on the glue issue. I have been through the literature extensively on this issue when I wrote the chapter on IV Therapy Equipment in the INS textbook and recently for the INS Standards of Practice. So I am not sure what you are referring to about the glue issue. One other thing about labels on IV fluid containers - they should never be placed over the manufacturer's label. You can find more information about this at ISMP, www.ismp.org. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
We found that the tamper proof jewelry labels are great for labeling and keeping our inventory organized.