I am trying to figure out what is best practice when it comes to take blood from a CVAD used with a continuous infusion (Given there is no other way of getting blood from a peripheral route).
On one of our unit, the connection is made directly - main IV line to catheter hub. Nurses are currently stopping the infusion then they draw the blood from the first Y on the main line. They then flush, into the Y, with 20 cc NS. We use the tubing of Baxter with the interlink. Often, blood remains in the Y after the flush.
Is there someone with a policy on this that topic?
Thank you very much,
France Paquet, RN, MSc.
McGill University Health Center
For situations like this, I would recommend using one of the inline blood sampling systems. There are several available - VAMP is the brand of one but there are others. BD makes one along with Teleflex. They are often used on arterial lines for obtaining samples. Of course this should be the rare situation as these patients should have a dual lumen catheter placed. 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 very much!
France Paquet, RN, MSC, VA-BC(TM), CVAA(c)
Clinical Practice Consultant, IV therapy and Vascular Access
Transition support office
McGill University Health Center
Montreal, Quebec, CANADA