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

[Chris Cavanaugh]

I do not believe there is any such standard, nothing I have ever seen or heard of.   A few practice questions come to mind—does the patient REALLY need the medication if the dose is so low?  Can it be mixed to be more concentrated so it can be given at a faster rate?  Large volume (standard hospital) pumps are notoriously INACCURATE at such low delivery volumes, anywhere from 5% to as high as 10%.   A low volume such as this should best be given by a syringe pump, more accurate, to within 2%-3%.   As far as keeping the line patent, if that is your concern, the pressure of the pump will assist in keeping the line patent, as most pumps infuse with a pressure of between 5-14 psi.    Chris Cavanaugh, CRNI From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Mary Ann Daly Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 7:07 PM 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