Prespiking IV Fluid Bags

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Mike Lewandowski
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Last seen: 8 months 4 weeks ago
Joined: 07/10/2014 - 12:47
Prespiking IV Fluid Bags

Hi all,

We're currently working with our OR staff to address the practice of prespiking IV bags in the OR. We have reached a bit of an impasse with our anesthesiology providers who are (understandably) concerned with the need for quick fluid administration when arterial lines are urgently/unexpectedly placed, and state that the priming process takes too long if not prepared in advance. At the same time, we recognize that this puts us at odds with USP 797 practices.

While we have a lot of internal details to hash out still, I'm curious as to how other institutions handle this. Are these only spiked/primed in an immediate-use context? Does your pharmacy department prepare these in advance to store in the OR? Any information would be appreciated - we want to share other practices with our anesthesiology group to provide some context.