Give catheters the green light

Article

Color-code IV patients.

To avoid surgical patients accidentally going home with an IV catheter in place, All-Star Animal Hospital in Surprise, Ariz., uses a color-coded system. "While setting the IV catheter, we wrap a red piece of vet wrap over the bandage," says Samantha Lerma, CVT, hospital manager. After surgery, when a team member removes the catheter, he or she uses green vet wrap with a cotton ball as a bandage. "That way, when a patient's ready to leave, we know red means stop and green means go," Lerma says.

Recent Videos
Managing practice caseloads
Nontraditional jobs for veterinary technicians
Angela Elia, BS, LVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.