[jewelsrn2]

I had a pt last nite and the day shift nurse said that she had been drawing blood off an existing iv, so I did the same. Is this a no-no?

[cougarnurse]

What kind of I.V.? Any additives in it?

'Cat'

[hfergrn]

Like Cougar said....depends if it has running fuids, or adds. But the act of drawing off the IV is fine as long as it does not alter your lab values....careful, you don't want to ruin your ony working IV if it clots/collapses by drawing off it...

[jewelsrn2]

no just a great 18 g iv with no fluids going:etc

Originally Posted by cougarnurse

What kind of I.V.? Any additives in it?

'Cat'

[hfergrn]

I'd use it.

[cassioo]

do you have a procedure for drawing off an existing line? Did you just draw from a HL or SL or did you discard anything before sending the lab?

[Mom-n-More]

If you're drawing off an IV lock you just want to be sure to keep it working. I'd discard about 5ml before getting the lab specimen, then be sure to flush with saline or heparin per agency protocol. At my hospital we don't draw off of peripheral IVs, only central lines. I don't know the reason for the policy or I'd share it with you.

[jewelsrn2]

Originally Posted by cassioo

do you have a procedure for drawing off an existing line? Did you just draw from a HL or SL or did you discard anything before sending the lab?

i did draw 5ml off and discard then 10ml for lab and flushed with saline after. this is not usually done at my hospital, but most ivs don't give that good of blood return

[cassioo]

Originally Posted by jewelsrn2

i did draw 5ml off and discard then 10ml for lab and flushed with saline after. this is not usually done at my hospital, but most ivs don't give that good of blood return

I would just make sure there was a policy for drawing from IV's. If there is you're covered.

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by Mom-n-More

If you're drawing off an IV lock you just want to be sure to keep it working. I'd discard about 5ml before getting the lab specimen, then be sure to flush with saline or heparin per agency protocol. At my hospital we don't draw off of peripheral IVs, only central lines. I don't know the reason for the policy or I'd share it with you.

Excellent post! I'd like to add, as mentioned refer to your SOP at your MTF. I draw from C/L & PIV's. Saline flush before, draw back waste, then draw back sample with seperate syringe. I always give the patient back the waste sample, followed by another flush. If, same PIV site with a continuous infusion I stop the drip a few minutes before the draw process, then immediately start back up after draw process completed. Most MTF's I've worked LVN/LPN's are not allowed to draw from access sites. Otherwise, if policy does not forbid C/L or PIV draw... GO FOR IT!. BTW, be sure the lab results were fairly consistent with previous results.