Something I saw

ChewyEMS

ChewyEMS

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So I saw my partner use the same catheter to stick a pt more than once. What are y'alls thoughts? Would you ever do that? Have u ever seen that?
 
Very common around here. Let me rephrase, it's very common if the medic is attempting an IV in the same location (i.e. Right hand). If they switch to the left hand that comes with a new needle.
 
You could re use a needle if your initiating a second attempt to cannulate, because you doozied the first one. My thought is, once the needle comes out, it goes into the sharps bin. I prefer using new needles. Just my 2 cents.
 
As far as being sterile, it's going to be the same sterility if he's using it in the same spot. As far as how okay it is based on the tip being sharp, after the second attempt, the tip really begins to deform.

tumblr_lr6u28Wit71qfuxqs.png
 
These pictures are hard to trace back to a reputable scientific source. They are re-used (no pun intended) between websites, sometimes rotated 90 degrees and re-collaged. I find it hard to believe just skin contact wold grade stainless steel like that. One source was about junkies reusing needles, maybe this is a result (and a likely one) of decontaminating needles in bleach (chlorine attacks stainless steel with pitting such as is seen on the photos), dropping it, drawing from a spoon, etc..
 
Heard of it, seen a few people do it... But generally if I'm resticking something or someone it'll be a new needle every time
 
STXmedic said:
Luckily you never have to restick anybody, so it's a nonissue.
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You people are starting to sound like my wife.

and to keep it on topic. I was taught that every new puncture of the skin is a new needle.
 
FireWA1 said:
You people are starting to sound like my wife.

and to keep it on topic. I was taught that every new puncture of the skin is a new needle.
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Yessimasta. I neva ment disrespec you. Forgive me, I'll keep it on topic and sound less like your wife (apparently that's a bad thing?...)
 
Well I could not find any other cultural reference that would come across so well. I do understand what is going on and why people are saying what they are saying. It just feels like the dead horse is being beaten. :deadhorse:

(and I do love my wife :wub: )
 
FireWA1 said:
Well I could not find any other cultural reference that would come across so well. I do understand what is going on and why people are saying what they are saying. It just feels like the dead horse is being beaten. :deadhorse:

(and I do love my wife :wub: )
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Meh, firefighter, don't really know when to quit ;) Well... Was... :D

I don't doubt it, considering she's one of your listed interests :P :D
 
TransportJockey said:
Heard of it, seen a few people do it... But generally if I'm resticking something or someone it'll be a new needle every time
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Same.

I even take the time to switch needles for IM injections between the draw and the administration. I've gotten enough shots to know that it does truly make a difference.

I really wanted to quote something and laugh at it but I'll refrain.

One thing I will say in reference to the cleanliness of it. Have you ever seen a physician start a central line? On more than one occasion if watched them use the same setup to make multiple punctures while they are fishing. Just something to consider. With that said a situation requiring a central line is a little different and there's generally at least local anesthesia if not generally or just pure unconsciousness from the disease process.
 
Robb said:
Same.

I even take the time to switch needles for IM injections between the draw and the administration. I've gotten enough shots to know that it does truly make a difference.

I really wanted to quote something and laugh at it but I'll refrain.

One thing I will say in reference to the cleanliness of it. Have you ever seen a physician start a central line? On more than one occasion if watched them use the same setup to make multiple punctures while they are fishing. Just something to consider. With that said a situation requiring a central line is a little different and there's generally at least local anesthesia if not generally or just pure unconsciousness from the disease process.
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Central lines are placed under sterile conditions, as if they were going to do surgery. So, ideally, as long as the field and equipment stays sterile, they can use the same setup over and over again.

Peripheral IV's are a little different. They're placed under clean conditions instead of sterile conditions. If I'm going to place a PIV, I'm going to prep a fairly large area of skin, that way, if one site doesn't work and another is available and still is "clean" then I'll give it a try there right away as long as nothing else has changed. If the "new" site somehow became not clean/contaminated, I'm going to put the cath away in a sharps container and start all over from scratch.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with using a new cath for every new skin puncture. I will not make fun of anyone that does this.
 
Akulahawk said:
Central lines are placed under sterile conditions, as if they were going to do surgery. So, ideally, as long as the field and equipment stays sterile, they can use the same setup over and over again.

Peripheral IV's are a little different. They're placed under clean conditions instead of sterile conditions. If I'm going to place a PIV, I'm going to prep a fairly large area of skin, that way, if one site doesn't work and another is available and still is "clean" then I'll give it a try there right away as long as nothing else has changed. If the "new" site somehow became not clean/contaminated, I'm going to put the cath away in a sharps container and start all over from scratch.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with using a new cath for every new skin puncture. I will not make fun of anyone that does this.
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I absolutely agree. I guess it wasn't as good of an example as I thought it would be. I personally would think the sterile aspect of it would be more reason to not reuse equipment but that's just me. Once it's been exposed to blood and other bodily fluids that piece of equipment is no longer sterile but it also is already stuff they have inside of them to begin with...

FWIW I use a new angiocath on every attempt.
 
Eh, I wouldn't particularly want it done to me, but I wouldn't freak out or anything.
 
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