Intermittent Infusion Device Drug Administration
An intermittent infusion injection device, or saline lock, eliminates the need for multiple venipunctures or for maintaining venous access with a continuous IV infusion. This device allows intermittent administration by infusion or by IV bolus injection.
Equipment
Patient’s medical record, including medication record ▪ gloves ▪ antiseptic pads (alcohol, tincture of iodine, or chlorhexidine-based) ▪ two prefilled preservative-free normal saline flush syringes ▪ prescribed medication in an IV container with administration set (for infusion) or in a syringe (for IV bolus) ▪ labels ▪ Optional: extra intermittent infusion device.
Implementation
Avoid distractions and interruptions when preparing and administering medications to prevent medication errors.1
Compare the medication label to the doctor’s order to verify the correct medication, indication, dose, route, and time of administration.3
Check the expiration date; return the medication to the pharmacy if it’s expired.3
Check the patient’s medical record for any allergy or other contraindication to the prescribed medication. If an allergy or other contraindication is present, don’t administer the medication and notify the doctor.3
Visually inspect the medication for discoloration or any other loss of integrity. Don’t administer the medication if its integrity is compromised.3
If you’ll be infusing medication, insert the administration set spike into the IV container, attach the needleless adapter, and prime the line. If you’ll be giving an IV injection, fill a syringe with the prescribed drug and label it.8
Confirm the patient’s identity using at least two patient identifiers according to your facility’s policy.9,10
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