RE: help!!!!

[Janine Pritchett]

As a pediatric facility, we do use scalp veins for access.  PICC's can even be placed in certain scalp veins for neonates (generally NICU or < a week or 2 if no other veins).  Scalps are the last resort.  You must also keep in mind what is to be infused.  Don't want to do things such as dilantin, vanco, acyclovir, etc.  When these are ordered, we approach the MD and suggest a PICC.  A scalp may get us a few hours until a PICC can be placed, however, if a PICC is indicated, we try to make that the first and only IV that these infants receive.   If needed for fluids, etc., a scalp can be a very good place to go.  No need to shave with the use of adhesive remover when the time comes.  With babies, "out of sight, out of mind".  If they can't see it, they don't bother it. Bottom line is that you must watch these and all pediatric IV sites very carefully.  We check PIV sites Q2 hr, those considered neonates are every hour.  If you are checking and the staff are very tuned into what to watch for, you are better able to catch things before they get to the point of being real problems.  Janine Pritchett, RN,C, BSN Clinical Supervisor Ambulatory Infusion Services Pediatric Infusion Clinic Mary Bridge Children's Hospital-            IV Therapy (253)403-2549 The information contained in this email may be privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you believe you have received the email message in error, please notify the sender via email or telephone. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 6:50 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: help!!!! hi to all of you-hope you have pleasant summer breezes where you are.  It is H-O-T-T here (southwest USA)-- have a question-have been asked to provide guidance to a Pediatric Nursing Manager who is deliberating  a change in their policy to allow scalp IVs as a back-up site for peripheral IV placements.  Many facilities here,  because of a past history littered with incidents of  osteomyelitis of the skull in young babies have made the scalp taboo.  I have looked in my references, and as a mother I know what I would tell someone who suggested putting an IV in my baby's head-but I can't find much information or guidance in the journals about this process-any ideas out there?  The INS Standards don't mention scalp IVs in their Standard about sites-but they don't preclude it either.  Thanks in advance for any morsel you can toss my way-Kathy Mohn-Las Vegas "MMS <multicare.org>" made the following annotations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTICE: This e-mail and the attachments hereto, if any, may contain privileged and/or confidential information. It is intended only for use by the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any examination, distribution or copying of this e-mail and the attachments hereto, if any, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify the sender by email or telephone and permanently delete this e-mail and the attachments hereto, if any, and destroy any printout thereof. MultiCare Health System, Tacoma, WA 98415 (253) 403-1000. ==============================================================================