Does anyone know of any hard evidence that drawing lab from central lines increases the risk of central line infection? Or does any facility not draw labs from their central lines for this reason? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kelly Tiffany RN
IV Resource Nurse
Altru Health Systems
Grand Forks, ND
Hi Kelly,
We have always used the central lines for drawing blood for labs - there is no evidence to support the practice - however I can tell you that all of my home PN patients have bloods drawn from their central lines and there has never been an associated infection or problem - I have been doing this job since 1998 - unfortunately I can't confirm or deny that for the patients throughout the hospital as we don't have anyone employed to monitor the lines or infections. regards.. Karen
Karen Rankin
Clinical Nurse Consultant
the Children's Hospital at Westmead - Australia
I am not aware of studies on this specific issue, but I have not done a lit search on this question either. However both CDC, INS, and SHEA/IDSA documents state unequivicolly that increased hub manipulation increases the risk of introducing organisms. Many hospitals have stopped this procedure as a routine on all patients. 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