Comments on: 4 Sloppy IV Mistakes You Should Avoid http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/ Medicine Moves Fast ... Keep Up. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:49:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Mindy http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-3872 Mindy Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:08:15 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-3872 Physicians always recommend filling up on fluids before a blood drawn to help prevent dehydration & collapsed veins. I'm a patient who usually has NO problem with blown veins. However, just prior to surgery this week, they instructed me to stop all food and fluid intake @ midnight before surgery day, which meant 10 hours with no fluids before check-in and pre-op prep (IV insertion). They blew two veins, then doubled-up the IV with the BP cuff on the same arm, blowing a third vein while I lay there screaming through clenched teeth. What could I have done to help avoid this, especially since I was told to NOT drink any water ahead of time? It's been 2 days, and my hands are still swollen & sore. I had sugery on both my legs, so have to use crutches for mobility, but it's nearly impossible with two sore hands. What can I do to speed healing at this point? Physicians always recommend filling up on fluids before a blood drawn to help prevent dehydration & collapsed veins. I’m a patient who usually has NO problem with blown veins. However, just prior to surgery this week, they instructed me to stop all food and fluid intake @ midnight before surgery day, which meant 10 hours with no fluids before check-in and pre-op prep (IV insertion). They blew two veins, then doubled-up the IV with the BP cuff on the same arm, blowing a third vein while I lay there screaming through clenched teeth. What could I have done to help avoid this, especially since I was told to NOT drink any water ahead of time? It’s been 2 days, and my hands are still swollen & sore. I had sugery on both my legs, so have to use crutches for mobility, but it’s nearly impossible with two sore hands. What can I do to speed healing at this point?

]]> By: The EMT Spot » Litter Begets Litter http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-3852 The EMT Spot » Litter Begets Litter Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:08:15 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-3852 [...] 4 Sloppy IV mistakes You Should Avoid [...] [...] 4 Sloppy IV mistakes You Should Avoid [...]

]]> By: Mini-Medic http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-3713 Mini-Medic Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:09:39 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-3713 Thanks for posting this...especially the part about missing the huge veins. There are times I hit a spider vein in an 80-y/o diabetic undergoing chemotherapy cause that is my only shot...and other days when I miss the 20-y/o construction worker whose small veins could hold a 14 gauge! :-/ When I was learning to start IV's, I would say a quick prayer for success in my head before I stuck, and I would miss the IV EVERY time. One of my co-workers said "Maybe God wants you to KNOW you can do it...not pray that you can." So now I stick with confidence...and then praise God for the success afterward. :-) Thanks for posting this…especially the part about missing the huge veins. There are times I hit a spider vein in an 80-y/o diabetic undergoing chemotherapy cause that is my only shot…and other days when I miss the 20-y/o construction worker whose small veins could hold a 14 gauge! :-/

When I was learning to start IV’s, I would say a quick prayer for success in my head before I stuck, and I would miss the IV EVERY time. One of my co-workers said “Maybe God wants you to KNOW you can do it…not pray that you can.” So now I stick with confidence…and then praise God for the success afterward. :-)

]]> By: Rapid Response RN http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-3593 Rapid Response RN Sat, 08 May 2010 14:18:30 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-3593 Ckemptp: Nursey Nurse was probably referring to a butterfly used for a lab draw rather than an IV. That's pretty much all nurses use butterflys for. BTW....great info! :) Ckemptp: Nursey Nurse was probably referring to a butterfly used for a lab draw rather than an IV. That’s pretty much all nurses use butterflys for.

BTW….great info! :)

]]> By: Joey J http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-3359 Joey J Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:08:57 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-3359 Thanks for this insight. I am not an EMT or EMS I am a patient who just had my first blown vein & it scared the crap out of me. I don't know how you guys do this anyway & I really don't see how people can shoot drugs up. I don't even know how to find my own vein much less someone elses. Anyway I was at the E.R. for some test's to see why I have been blacking out & they were trying to get an IV started & I guess since I am paralyzed & my hands are drawn up they had problems or something. But obviously they shouldn't have tried starting an IV in my hand. Anyway, the guy blew my vein & a huge knot came up on my hand & blood was coming out everywhere & I freaked big time. They had to come in and get an IV started in my arm quickly & give me liquid valium to calm me down. Even then they still didn't fully explain what a blown vein was & if there was anything I should or shouldn't do for the next week or so. They had royal peeved me off & I would have had that IV ripped out of my arm & been out of there if they hadn't caught me. But thanks for this info. it has helped knowing that it is common in some ways & that it is supposed to hurt. However since it was in my hand, should my upper arm be hurting in pain especially to the touch. You know, the area where most people get their B-12 injections, up around the upper arm? I haven't had my B-12 in almost a month now so I know that it's not from that so should that area be hurting from the blown vein as well? Will the vein be allright or is it going to die off? I am paralyzed with Lou Gehrig's Disease & Progressive Spinal Cord Dysfunction & Spinal Cord Compression in three different areas of my spine (C-spine, T-Spine, & L-Spine compression on the Cord). Thank you very much for posting this website, you should feel proud knowing that you have not only helped fellow EMT's but also at least one patient. Not sure which state you are in but I am in Alabama, that's how far this information has made it. Thanks for this insight. I am not an EMT or EMS I am a patient who just had my first blown vein & it scared the crap out of me. I don’t know how you guys do this anyway & I really don’t see how people can shoot drugs up. I don’t even know how to find my own vein much less someone elses. Anyway I was at the E.R. for some test’s to see why I have been blacking out & they were trying to get an IV started & I guess since I am paralyzed & my hands are drawn up they had problems or something. But obviously they shouldn’t have tried starting an IV in my hand. Anyway, the guy blew my vein & a huge knot came up on my hand & blood was coming out everywhere & I freaked big time. They had to come in and get an IV started in my arm quickly & give me liquid valium to calm me down. Even then they still didn’t fully explain what a blown vein was & if there was anything I should or shouldn’t do for the next week or so. They had royal peeved me off & I would have had that IV ripped out of my arm & been out of there if they hadn’t caught me. But thanks for this info. it has helped knowing that it is common in some ways & that it is supposed to hurt. However since it was in my hand, should my upper arm be hurting in pain especially to the touch. You know, the area where most people get their B-12 injections, up around the upper arm? I haven’t had my B-12 in almost a month now so I know that it’s not from that so should that area be hurting from the blown vein as well? Will the vein be allright or is it going to die off? I am paralyzed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease & Progressive Spinal Cord Dysfunction & Spinal Cord Compression in three different areas of my spine (C-spine, T-Spine, & L-Spine compression on the Cord). Thank you very much for posting this website, you should feel proud knowing that you have not only helped fellow EMT’s but also at least one patient. Not sure which state you are in but I am in Alabama, that’s how far this information has made it.

]]> By: Dan Gavrich http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-2942 Dan Gavrich Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:46:36 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-2942 Thanks Steve I will. Let me know when you need me to help test your new students Thanks Steve I will. Let me know when you need me to help test your new students

]]> By: Steve Whitehead http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-2939 Steve Whitehead Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:21:01 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-2939 Aw hey Dan, that's awesome. Tear it up. Now you've got the inside track. Always good to hear from you. Aw hey Dan, that’s awesome. Tear it up. Now you’ve got the inside track. Always good to hear from you.

]]> By: Dan Gavrich http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-2934 Dan Gavrich Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:49:07 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-2934 I'll be sure to remember these when I'm sitting in my IV certification this weekend. Thanks Steve! I’ll be sure to remember these when I’m sitting in my IV certification this weekend. Thanks Steve!

]]> By: Steve Whitehead http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-2745 Steve Whitehead Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:57:21 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-2745 I pinch the cap between the knuckles of my pointer and middle finger on the hand that is tamponading the vien to remove the cap. I pinch the cap between the knuckles of my pointer and middle finger on the hand that is tamponading the vien to remove the cap.

]]> By: Steve Whitehead http://theemtspot.com/2009/03/22/4-sloppy-iv-mistakes-you-should-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-2744 Steve Whitehead Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:55:50 +0000 http://theemtspot.com/?p=473#comment-2744 Zach, don't use your mouth bud ... just don't. It isn't that you're going to contaminate the tip, it's that your sticking the cap in YOUR mouth. After it rolls around on the filthy bench, after it touches your dirty gloved hand, after it sits on the patients lap or leg (yuck). That cap can be disgustingly dirty and (at worst) be contaminated with blood and body fluid. My advice is to never put anything that has been in the back of an ambulance in your mouth. Zach, don’t use your mouth bud … just don’t. It isn’t that you’re going to contaminate the tip, it’s that your sticking the cap in YOUR mouth. After it rolls around on the filthy bench, after it touches your dirty gloved hand, after it sits on the patients lap or leg (yuck).

That cap can be disgustingly dirty and (at worst) be contaminated with blood and body fluid. My advice is to never put anything that has been in the back of an ambulance in your mouth.

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