I am on our CLABSI committee, and I have been asked to get information about lab draws from central lines. Such as the actual technique used, does anyone use a "closed system" for drawing labs (and if so, which product do you use), draw through the cap or not. Lastly, where can I find evidence-based, best-practice, supporting information? Thanks!
This information is not found in one or two single and simple locations. What is know will come from multiple sources. This issue may be our next topic for an online CE course, but I do not have it ready yet. The overriding goal as now stated in the CDC and INS documents is to reduce catheter hub manipulation in an effort to decrease contamination and subsequent BSI. You can now find statements in the INS standards along with the references listed there. That would be a place to start along with your own literature search. 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
Your needless cap manufacturer will recommend whether or not you can draw blood through their cap, and if it needs to be changed after the draw. There are so many different caps on the market, no professional organization makes any such recommendation.
INS and AACN both have procedure manuals that can assist in creating a procedure to draw labs from central lines. They have supporting documentation with the procedures.
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC