Hi all,
1. Do you filter all infusions for patients with PFO?
2. Do you have a written Protocol for it.
Any other thoughts. Lynne, I know you are a proponent of filtering all infusions and I am also curious if filtering is a false sense of security for these patients as all the flushing and line disconnects are probably where most air would be introduced anyway. Trying to decice if a written protocol is necessary, and what will be safest practice for our patients.
Many adults have undiagnosed PFO. I can not remember the exact number but it is published in many articles. With PFO, air and particulate matter would be shunted to the arterial side and travel to the brain, kidney, etc. There is evidence that small air bubles can cause problems but I think this is just as big a risk with continuous as well as intermittent infusion. 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