help needed!!! understanding of the use of Luer locks...

Posts: 3 · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Leicester

Hi, i am a product design student at DeMontofrt university in leicester, and am currently researching into the way i.v. infusions and drug administrations work.i know nurses time is valuable, but no-one seems willing to help me on an issue that seems so relevant. I'm still confused as to how, why and where luer lock syringes are used, and why there is so many wrong route administrations in the nhs today. With my project i'm hoping to reduce this, but need to understand exactly where the problem arises?!...also i'm still unsure as to how the use of oral syringes are mixed up with i.v. syringes...is there something i'm blatently missing in my research?! it just seems that these syringes are adaptable to be used and connected to things they are not meant? again, i'm finding it hard to understand.

I know i haven't been that clear, but thats why i'm posting this to see if anybody can clear this up a bit. I will continue researching to try and find out though!

Thanks

Toby Fox (Ba Product Design, Demontfort University)

Posts: 2 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 2 Location: tacoma,WA

hello toby. I would find a lack of response puzzling too. In the practices I have been involved with, safety has always been the first priority r/t leur-lock devices. There is significant documentation regarding sharps injuries to both patient and professional while injecting/ withdrawing needled syringes into hubs of heparin locks or IV tubing. Connections that lock into themselves also provide the added benefit of safe/aseptic closure into venous/arterial lines where potential for introduction of bacteria systemically or loss of blood exist . Both justify prudence for patient and medico- nursing practitioners. The use of a locking mechanism does not preclude said mechanism being incorrectly applied with wrong medication or delivery device. It is incumbent for the practitioner to know correct use of all the tools of the trade prior to their use. Educators,mentors and fellow practioners are all beneficial ensuring correct practice is adhered to as well as guiding new practitioners to positive and safe practice. Common sense also goes far.

Posts: 10 · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 10 Location: indiana

a few things to consider; several lines, meds intended for intravenous use accidently injected into an epidural for example. 2. pharmacy- makes mistakes all the time! pharmacy puts the med in the wrong container. Idea

Also, drug interactions within the line due to inadequate flushing with normal saline between drugs. Another issue; meds are mixed in the med room, not labeled then carried to bed side- easy to forget what drug is in which syringe with several being given at the same time. Then, some meds are harder to draw up without the needle to acess the container. Some meds are in glass ampules that are broken, then nursing has to use a filter needle to keep the glass out of the med that ends uo in the syringe. I hope this helps...

Posts: 19 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Phoenix AZ USA

By luer lock you mean needleless? Are those the blue and white ends that you twist the syringe onto them and they are connected to the line?
I HATE THOSE. THEY SUCK!!!!!!
Whenever I have a line with those on I just change the line and get rid of them. Needleless are pretty good because they decrease incidence of sticks, but you will ALWAYS need needles to get the meds out of the containers they come in. Those little "needleless" ends for syringes that have the blue arrow tip in them SUCK TOO. 1/2 the time they aren't sharp enough to puncture the rubber stopper and get the medication out! I for one ALWAYS use a needle, no matter if the ends are needleless or not.
Indiana is right about how meds are mixed in the med room and not labeled. As an ER nurse, I mix pretty much everything I give myself. Pharmacy doesn't work in the ER at my facility. The only things that EVER get a label are antibiotics that go into a piggyback. You make 4 syringes of stuff for a patient that's all clear? Only you can know what it is because you pulled it up - if a colleague gives you a syringe and says "can you give this to patient X for me?" you have no idea what's in it. Even if they tell you. Because there's no time to label, and no labels to put on them anyway even if there was time.
Angela