Good point. We do have individual packets of sterile gel stocked. Thanks for
the input.
D
From: "Erickson, Wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "DAVID LONGSETH" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: RT's using US for ABG's
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 06:37:48 -0500
Use caution! We had an outbreak of infections related to contaminated
ultrasound gel several years ago. The bottles were being refilled from
a large supply, rather than using a new bottle when empty. I would be
very concerned about using non-sterile gel anywhere near a venipuncture
site.
Wendy Erickson RN
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DAVID LONGSETH
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:52 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RT's using US for ABG's
Similar to the 'phlebotomists using US' but different enough for
another thread.
A couple of our RT's are interested in using US for ABG's. The training
and competencies shouldn't be too hard to do,and they have access to a
Site-Rite 2. What I'd like to do is a pre-audit of palpation ABG's in
terms of time to get the sample and # of sticks,then train a few in US
guidance and then see how the times,sticks to pt. and materials used
compare.
Now,the one thing that I still can't decide is whether to have them use
a sterile sleeve over the probe or not. Drawing ABG's is not a sterile
procedure per se,so my instinct is to have them disinfect the probe
before and after the stick but maybe someone out there has other views.
Thaks for any input,
David
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