Thank goodness we don't "need" all of our lung vessels, or Iv therapy would
be contraindicated in all instances. Every time we remove a PICC I wonder
where that fibrin sheath is.
Halle Utter
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kokotis, Kathy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Leigh Ann Bowe-geddes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2006 7:09 PM
Subject: RE: Dilantin
Dilantin is in some ways not even compatible with normal saline or your
bloodstream
Normal saline pH 5.5
Bloodstream pH 7.35
dilantin pH 12-14 but if it falls below 10 it precipitates. Both blood
and normal saline make the pH fall below 10 so therefore you will find
crystals of dilantin in the lungs if it does not preceipitate sooner. Are
we not lucky the lungs are a great filter of life
Kathy
________________________________
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Leigh Ann Bowe-geddes
Sent: Sat 2/4/2006 6:34 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Dilantin
Nancy:
Dilantin is very prone to precipitation. It is not compatible with
anything except NS. Flushing is very important, but there is another
issue. The lumen through which the dilantin is infused should be dedicated
to dilantin and NS only. Some of the drug may cling to the internal lumen,
and if anything other than NS is infused between dilantin doses, you get
dilantin crystals in the line.
There are some other issues with dilantin. It is very important to flush
well, and to administer the medication properly. It is not stable if the
pH is allowed to drop, and the normal pH of dilantin is very high,
somewhere in the 12-13 range.
Leigh Ann
Leigh Ann Bowe-Geddes, RN, CRNI
IV Therapy Specialist
Infusion Services Department
University of Louisville Hospital
Louisville, KY
502-562-3530
"Nancy Sullivan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 02/03/06 8:26 PM >>>
I know you ladies and gentlmen have probably discussed this many times,
but I'm new to these message baords and have a questions.
My hospital has a policy that states: "DO NOT INFUSE DILANTIN THRU PICC
LINES." I have been working at this hospital for 3 years and it does seem
like every time a nurse puts dilantin into a picc--occlusion and loss of
the line. I have been told that it is a flushing problem and lack of
education. We use groshong and per q cath piccs. SO PLEASE EDUCATE ME IN
THIS MATTER, BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO EDUCATE THE REST OF THE STAFF.
Thanks in advance
Nancy Sullivan RN
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