Re: Standards of care r/t peripheral and central IV drip rates

[Martha Pike]

Actually, pressure is not the primary issue. It has more to do with what the pump engineers call the "resolution of flow" of the particular pump and the diameter of the IV catheter and IV tubing. re resolution of flow Some pump mechanisms will continuously push fluid through, others cycle intermittently (push boluses through every few seconds - or only every few minutes with slower rates) to achieve the same hourly rate. For example, compare a continuous linear peristaltic mechanism such as the old IVAC / Alaris 560 vs the CADD pumps which cycle intermittently. re the diameter of the tubing Especially at slow flow rates there can be layering of fluids of different viscosities within the IV catheter and IV tubing. Blood is more viscous and can flow backward along the wall of the IV catheter and  tubing even as the pump is infusing and pushing lower viscosity IV fluid into the catheter over the layer of blood reflux. This happens mostly with slow flow rates and especially with large diameter catheters and IV tubing. Microbore IV sets help, but if you are infusing through a large bore tunneled catheter or implanted port you can still have this reflux / layering problem. (It also helps to keep the IV tubing from draping down below the level of the vein.) /Martha On Oct 15, 2006, at 2:39 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mary, I think that it would depend on the Pump.  Pressure rates more than the pump itself would give you a better example.  A CADD pump would have the pressure to run a drip at that rate but not sure a regular pump would suffice.  Not an engineer though.  Maybe we have an engineer on here that could help. Just my thoughts. Randy -- Randy Ross R.N., B.S.N. IV Nurse Consultant, President & C.E.O. IV's Etc...  LLC Vascular Access     & Consulting Ph: 317-541-6463 Fax: 317-894-7709 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.IVsEtc.com  -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Mary Ann Daly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>     Hi Lynn,   I followed a nurse whose patient had Levophed running.The drip rate was at  .1cc per hour on an IV pump going into the distal lumen of a TLC, femoral  access.     Does anyone know what the standards for minimal IV drip rates peripherally and  centrally?   Thank you   Mary Ann Daly RN From: "Mary Ann Daly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: October 14, 2006 8:27:57 PM EDT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Standards of care r/t  peripheral and central  IV drip rates Hi Lynn,   I followed a nurse whose patient had Levophed running.The drip rate was at .1cc per hour on an IV pump going into the distal lumen of a TLC, femoral access.    Does anyone know what the standards for minimal IV drip rates peripherally and centrally?   Thank you Mary Ann Daly RN