I am looking into these kits because I think at our hospital, it would increase compliance with standards surrounding port use/care. Does anyone have any experiences they can share regarding this topic?
We keep what is labeled a "central line dressing kit" in it ; sterile gloves, large opsite, sterile drape for under pts arm, 4x4, 2x2 and a paper measureing tape, roll of tape and packet of 3 alcohol swabs and 3 betadine swabs. We are looking into a different one that contains the chg instead of alcohol/betadine.
We have been using the kit for years and it works great instead of staff having to pull everything they need. Like you said , if they have to pull many items chances are they will forget something and possibly skip that step in the process.
We have a central line dressing kit that we can use, but there is a lot of stuff oin it we don't use if we are accessing for labs or a routine flush. We have one unit that puts together a little kit in baggies (chloroprep, sterile 2x2s, mask, sterile gloves, NS, syringe, ect) so they just grab a needle and a baggie.
There are a variety of companies out there that will make you a kit to order. If you do the baggie thing until you are sure what you need, you'll have a better idea what you want t order.
Hi Kathleen, Our hospital uses the Bard Access Systems Port Access Kit. I have wanted an all inclusive kit for years and Bard now has one. It includes one huber needle (we use PowerLoc Max), dressing, prep, 2 pair of gloves, sterile drape, flush and other items. The only items we need to add are the needleless connector caps and biopatch. If it is a double port we just drop a second huber needle and biopatch in. Our storeroom attaches a biopatch to the outside package on the kit and extra huber needles to drive compliance with use. This kit is wonderful and our nurses absolutely love the fact that they grab one kit and have everything they need. The feedback from them is that it is a timesaver (in the past they would have to hunt down supplies-central line dressing kit, caps, huber needles, second pair or sterile gloves, sterile drape, etc) and they have an easy time maintaining sterility. There is even a label in the kit that serves as a checklist for walking the nurse through the steps of a perfect port access. The label can then be filled out with date of access placed on the front of the patient's chart. It's a great visual as to when the next needle change is due. Nurses that do not access ports frequently have commented on the helpfulness of the label. Good luck! Jeannette
Thank you all for your ideas, and for sharing your experiences. I have a Bard kit on the way to examine, and will contemplate the baggie idea and the modifying of the central line kits. Very good options!
Our company can provide multiple port access kit options as well as provide a quote for custom kits that are priced better than standard port kits. If you can provide a list of products, I will send you a quote or provide it directly to your puchasing department. With that quote I can send you a non-sterile kit for you and your staff to review.
We keep what is labeled a "central line dressing kit" in it ; sterile gloves, large opsite, sterile drape for under pts arm, 4x4, 2x2 and a paper measureing tape, roll of tape and packet of 3 alcohol swabs and 3 betadine swabs. We are looking into a different one that contains the chg instead of alcohol/betadine.
We have been using the kit for years and it works great instead of staff having to pull everything they need. Like you said , if they have to pull many items chances are they will forget something and possibly skip that step in the process.
Our current kit is from Medline.
Gina
Gina Ward R.N., VA-BC
We have a central line dressing kit that we can use, but there is a lot of stuff oin it we don't use if we are accessing for labs or a routine flush. We have one unit that puts together a little kit in baggies (chloroprep, sterile 2x2s, mask, sterile gloves, NS, syringe, ect) so they just grab a needle and a baggie.
There are a variety of companies out there that will make you a kit to order. If you do the baggie thing until you are sure what you need, you'll have a better idea what you want t order.
Gail
Gail McCarter, BSN,CRNI
Franklin, NH
Hi Kathleen, Our hospital uses the Bard Access Systems Port Access Kit. I have wanted an all inclusive kit for years and Bard now has one. It includes one huber needle (we use PowerLoc Max), dressing, prep, 2 pair of gloves, sterile drape, flush and other items. The only items we need to add are the needleless connector caps and biopatch. If it is a double port we just drop a second huber needle and biopatch in. Our storeroom attaches a biopatch to the outside package on the kit and extra huber needles to drive compliance with use. This kit is wonderful and our nurses absolutely love the fact that they grab one kit and have everything they need. The feedback from them is that it is a timesaver (in the past they would have to hunt down supplies-central line dressing kit, caps, huber needles, second pair or sterile gloves, sterile drape, etc) and they have an easy time maintaining sterility. There is even a label in the kit that serves as a checklist for walking the nurse through the steps of a perfect port access. The label can then be filled out with date of access placed on the front of the patient's chart. It's a great visual as to when the next needle change is due. Nurses that do not access ports frequently have commented on the helpfulness of the label. Good luck! Jeannette
Jeannette Andrews, RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Thank you all for your ideas, and for sharing your experiences. I have a Bard kit on the way to examine, and will contemplate the baggie idea and the modifying of the central line kits. Very good options!
Kathleen Wilson, CRNI
Kathleen,
Our company can provide multiple port access kit options as well as provide a quote for custom kits that are priced better than standard port kits. If you can provide a list of products, I will send you a quote or provide it directly to your puchasing department. With that quote I can send you a non-sterile kit for you and your staff to review.
Dan Izzo, RN
Director of Clinical Support
IMS
708-267-0065
[email protected]
Daniel Izzo, RN
Director of Clinical Support
Integrated Medical Systems, Inc.
Whatever you can do to keep supplies in one kit or one place the better. I've seen new items simply attached to kits and compliance always increases.