Introducing skin microbes into the artery and/or tissue is a problem no matter whether just a single stick or an indwelling device. Obviously it is much worse with an indwelling device, but you can cause an infection just by stepping on a sharp object. Those microbes just shouldn't be there! I vote for the sterile probe cover and sterile gel. I do us US for deep peripheral IVs for CT or MRI. I do use the sterile probe cover and sterile gel (after using Chloraprep on the skin).
Nadine Nakazawa, RN, BS, OCN
PICC Program Coordinator
Stanford University Hospital and Clinics
Stanford University Medical Center
From: "DAVID LONGSETH" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RT's using US for ABG's
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 20:52:13 -0500
>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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