For years the nursing staff have been able remove the IV catheter - medlocks if they were not medically necessary (patients not being monitored, seizure precautions etc.) This year the Nursing Practice committe wants to add to the policy statement:
IV catheters should be removed when they are no longer medically necessary. the committee wants to add "with doctor's order."
The physicans at our hosptials feel that nursing can use critical thinking skills as they have in the past and not restat IV catheters that are not needed.
My question is - does any one have nursing orders that address this issue?
Are you talking about a short peripheral catheter or CVC? If a peripheral catheter, I have never worked where a physician order was required to remove any PIV. This is totally nursing judgment. In fact, we should be making these assessments daily as to the necessity of any VAD and I would include PIV in this group. If no longer required, it should be removed. 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