I showed this to a coworker who used to be in TCV and she said she saw this all 
the time, but more often with atropine and epi like drugs.....she said the 
first flush on the unit after returning from OR was always interesting.....
 
Sandy Schwaner

________________________________

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Cindy Schrum CRNI
Sent: Tue 1/17/2006 9:26 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Drugs left in prn adapter



The volume of the extension set is 1cc.  They are investigating if this volume 
was enough to cause those symptoms (haven't heard what drug), the patient 
hadn't been in PACU very long so still had drugs in her system I'm certain.  
The RN flushed with a prefilled saline syringe.

Cindy Schrum RN CRNI
IVTeam Coordinator
Gaston Memorial Hospital
Gastonia, North Carolina
(704) 834-2707

>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 1/16/2006 10:55 PM >>>


It doesn't surprise me that the anesthesiologist is adamant. I am sure he 
thinks he did flush it out and perhaps her did. There is the flush syringe to 
consider. Where did the nurse get it from? You need to consider the filling 
volume of the PIV and attached extension set. Was that volume enough to allow a 
large enough dose of know paralytic agents to stop the patients breathing?

Very interesting case. Never heard of one like it. But do consider 
possibilities other than the MD.


Tony West,  RN, CRNI
Healix, Inc.
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
SMS:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cell: 214-674-4848


In a message dated 1/16/2006 12:07:48 P.M. Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Our risk  management dept has sent me the following scenario.  Any one ever
have a  similar occurance?

"I am investigating a case re: a pt. in PACU.   The pt. returned from surgery
with a prn adapter in her hand.  Anesthesia  had started another IV during
the procedure due to this one being positional  when they turned her on her
stomach.  They didn't pull it. When the pt.  got to PACU, the nurse flushed the
adapter to see if it was patent. About  10-15 seconds after that the lady
couldn't breath, said her tongue was numb  then said she couldn't move then 
stopped
breathing.  She required BMV and  then anesthesia gave some reversal meds and
she regained respirations.   The thought per PACU RN was that there had been
some muscle relaxant left in  the adapter line.  Have you ever heard of this or
do you have any  resources that may reference something like this? 
The  anesthesiologist was adamant that they "always flush" after they give
meds and  that the pt got IVF after meds but no way of knowing how much d/t IV
being  positional and switched. "

As always, I appreciate any feedback,  comments you may have.


Cindy Schrum RN CRNI
IVTeam  Coordinator
Gaston Memorial Hospital
Gastonia, North Carolina
(704)  834-2707


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