Concerns with Chemotherapy tubing and bags

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Diane Schultz
Diane Schultz's picture
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Last seen: 2 years 11 months ago
Joined: 02/06/2015 - 15:07
Concerns with Chemotherapy tubing and bags

We have had 2 instances of chemotherapy tubing and bags becoming pressurized to the point that the tubing and bag flatten – preventing the infusion of the entire dose. Our Alaris pumps beep “air in line” and won’t allow the complete dose to be infused. In both cases the chemotherapy bags were rigid plastic, as opposed to a softer bag like a 1,000 mL Normal Saline bag. Nursing staff have recommend pharmacy inject more air into the rigid plastic bags when prepping the chemotherapy, however it is unclear if this would impact the pressurization that is causing tubing to collapse

Is anyone else having this concern? We would appreciate any feedback. Thank you!