If I used a syringe only to infuse medications into an IV tubing port that is several feet away from the patients IV catheter site, is it ok to use the same syringe for another patient?
NO. Everything from the medication bag to the patient’s catheter is a single interconnected unit. All of the components are directly or indirectly exposed to the patient’s blood and cannot be used for another patient. A syringe that intersects through ports in the IV tubing or bags also becomes contaminated and cannot be used for another patient. Separation from the patient’s IV by distance, gravity and/or positive infusion pressure does not ensure that small amounts of blood are not present in these items.
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