Suggestion—do you have nurses in Radiology? In some facilities, the techs call the RNs when contrast is needed. They even have the RNs start PIVs whenever possible. The RNs flush the line, no matter PIV or Central, give contrast or hook up the power injector tubing then flush the line with NS/Heparin afterword. Because not every study needs contrast, this RN or RNs float to other areas of Radiology, between CT, MRI and Interventional. Many hospitals have been very successful at utilizing an FTE for this purpose. In addition, this way the Radiology has an RN available if there was a reaction to the contrast or other emergency. I am a big advocate of RNs in Radiology, both for protection of patient and IV line.
Chris Cavanaugh, CRNI
----- Original Message -----
From: "Erickson, Marcia Charge Nurse" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 2:23 pm
Subject: "breaking the system"
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I am currently dealing with this issue here. The director of
> radiology states the rad techs in Kansas cannot administer
> medication and heparin is a medication. None of us, the director
> of radiology, myself or the infectious disease director want the
> rad techs manipulating the lumen. The current solution is for the
> IV therapy team to be available to disconnect the cap, connect the
> power injector, run the scan, disconnect, new cap, saline,
> heparin, etc. I have talked with two companies and they are
> currently conducting studies of their caps performance with the
> flow rates and PSI of the power injector. I have talked with BD
> and ICU Medical (CLC 2000). They informed me that they plan to
> have those studies released this summer. I do not like repeated
> opening of the system. We have delivered contrast media
> peripherally with the valves on without problems. I did not know
> the valves could be an issue until we received Bard's power PICC.
> Marcia ERickson
> Stormont-Vail Healthcare
> Topeka, Kansas
>
>
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