How often should the nurse change the primary intermittent IV tubing to minimize infection risk?

Changing the primary intermittent IV tubing every 24 hours is recommended to minimize the risk of infection. This frequency helps to ensure that any potential contamination or build-up of pathogens is addressed promptly. While maintaining IV access, it is critical to reduce exposure to bacteria and other microorganisms that can lead to infections. By replacing the tubing at this interval, nurses can effectively manage and mitigate this risk.

The 24-hour change interval is based on guidelines from infection control standards and practices that advocate for regular maintenance of IV lines. It is important to emphasize that simply waiting for the tubing to appear worn or damaged does not sufficiently address the potential for infection, as microorganisms can proliferate on the tubing surface before visible degradation occurs. Regular changing of the tubing is a proactive measure to safeguard patient health.