I was always taught that if IV tubing such as abx tubing is not being used we should place a cap on it. I am seeing people loop their tubing. I have informed them that this not acceptable, but they feel that this is considered a closed system. Do you know of any information I can reference and present to my staff?
Thank you,
Laura Countermon
Infusion Coordinator
See the INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, Administration Set standard. This practice is not supported by evidence and the only acceptable thing is to place a new sterile end cap on the male luer end. If that male luer end is contaminated from the needleless connector, looping is spreading that contamination through a greater length of the set. It simply has not been proven to be acceptble and is below the standard of care at this time. 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