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Biomedical subjects

J LaRocca

Publications and source records attributed to J LaRocca.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Evaluation and implementation of a needleless intravenous system: making needlesticks a needless problem.

A needleless intravenous (IV) system with blunt plastic cannulas and specially designed injection sites was introduced at Olive View Medical Center to reduce needlestick injuries, particularly IV-related needlesticks. IV-related needlestick injuries decreased 72% during the first 8 months of use, costs were reduced $1.85 for a typical IV piggyback administration set-up by revising the IV piggyback procedure, and a staff survey revealed satisfaction with the new system.

California↗
PubMed1989

Comparison of heparin and 0.9% sodium chloride injection in the maintenance of indwelling intermittent i.v. devices.

Heparin sodium 10 units/mL was compared with 0.9% sodium chloride injection as a flush solution for indwelling intermittent i.v. devices, or i.v. locks (IVLs), in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The heparin and 0.9% sodium chloride injections were prepared in the pharmacy using aseptic technique. Most of the IVLs were inserted by an i.v. therapy team member. Each patient's IVL site was evaluated for phlebitis and patency by one of three study nurses, and when a catheter was removed, its contents were flushed so that clots or fibrin strands could be detected. Nurses also collected information regarding disease states, surgical procedures, medications administered, and how long each site lasted. A total of 173 sites were studied in 76 patients in the heparin group, and 131 sites were studied in 71 patients in the sodium chloride group. The groups were well matched, except that the sodium chloride group received more vancomycin and dextrose-containing i.v. solutions, while the heparin group received more penicillins. There was no significant difference in the incidence of phlebitis or lost patency between the groups. When locks through which vancomycin, penicillins, and dextrose-containing i.v. solutions were administered were excluded, there was still no significant difference between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Postinfusion phlebitis after intravenous push versus intravenous piggyback administration of antimicrobial agents.

The incidence and severity of phlebitis associated with the i.v. push method versus the i.v. piggyback method of administration of antimicrobial agents were evaluated. All patients admitted to two nursing units of an 886-bed, tertiary-care hospital from March through June 1987 who received intravenous cephalosporins or extended-spectrum penicillins were considered for inclusion in the study. The method of administration, either i.v. push or i.v. piggyback, was randomly assigned. Each patient's catheter site was evaluated every 24 hours according to standardized definitions of phlebitis and patency. Information on each patient and venipuncture site also was collected. A total of 319 catheter sites were studied in 155 patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence or severity of postinfusion phlebitis between the i.v. push and the i.v. piggyback groups (41% versus 47%). When studying only those catheter sites discontinued because of phlebitis, the time until development of phlebitis averaged 45 +/- 20.5 hours in the i.v. push group, compared with only 36.2 +/- 17.6 hours in the i.v. piggyback group; this difference was significant. The fact that the catheter sites lasted significantly longer in the i.v. push group, combined with elimination of the cost of syringe infusion pumps or i.v. tubing and minibags, suggests that use of the i.v. push method may result in substantial cost savings. Other advantages associated with the i.v. push method include time savings for nursing personnel and patients and greater ease in scheduling doses of multiple antimicrobial agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗