I was reading through my INS Standards of Practice today ( no I was not bored) to try to get some info to decrease my anesthesiologist "bigger is better", way of thinking.  It is said that catheter selection should be the smallest gauge and shortest length, that will accommodate the prescribed therapy.  Could anyone tell me where I might find the "prescribed therapy" for the size of catheter needed for a patient going in for surgery?  Is there any info out there to support the doc's need for an 18 or 16 gauge short peripheral in a vein that is in no way big enough to support it?  The doc's tell me it is for possible resuscitation purposes, but the flow rates on the peripheral catheters we use do not make enough of a difference to support this either.  I know I am probably fighting a losing battle, but I need to know either way.  My patients are the one's being made to suffer for what seems to be archaic practice. 
 
Heather Nichols RN BSN CRNI
Infusion Services
University of Louisville Trauma Institute
530 S. Jackson St.
Lou. Ky. 40202
(502)562-3530


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