A dial-a-flow extension set, also known as dial-a-flow tubing, is a medical device used to control the flow of a liquid or fluid via an intravenous line. Occasionally, this device is referred to as a manual flow regulator or simply as an IV flow regulator.
When using Dial-A-Flow tubing, you may adjust the dial to a value that corresponds to the milliliter per hour infusion rate. Certain infusion flow regulators enable you to set the rate of infusion in droplets per minute. Flow regulators may be an excellent cost-cutting substitute for infusion pumps. In contrast to infusion pumps, flow regulators are manually adjusted.
Utilization of Dial-A-Flow
Manual flow regulators provide a variety of benefits. These include limiting inadvertent solution free flows, adding protection against a roller clamp drifting, and protecting against crimped tubing. Dial-A-Flow tubing is simpler to adjust and delivers a more constant flow rate than standard IV tubing with an integrated roller clamp.
There are a few things to consider before utilizing a manual or IV flow regulator. To begin, it’s critical to grasp the difference between the precision of actual delivered rates on a manual flow regulator and the accuracy of a manual predefined setting. When employing dial-a-flow tubing, you should validate that gravity drip factors have no effect on the rate of delivery. Additionally, a manual flow regulator will perform identically to an infusion pump, obviating the need to count the drips.
It is critical to examine a variety of patient-related considerations while selecting whether to utilize an IV flow regulator. Consider the kind of treatment, the patient’s mobility, the healthcare facility, the patient’s age, and the nurse’s expertise and experience with dial-a-flow tubing. Additionally, it is critical to grasp any organizational processes, rules, and practice standards that your hospital or medical institution may have in place.
If a manual flow regulator is used to provide IV treatment, it should be closely monitored to ensure that the specified infusion rate is delivered accurately. While dial-a-flow tubing facilitates the delivery of IV drugs, it does not take the position of a nurse monitoring a patient’s prescribed infusion treatment.
A nurse or medical professional should carefully understand the manufacturer’s instructions for appropriate device use before to employing dial-a-flow tubing. This will assist in reducing the danger to patients associated with incorrect use.
Dial-A-Flow Tubing: How To Use It
Before use dial-a-flow tubing or any other kind of IV flow regulator, you should get acquainted with any internal guidelines or procedures pertaining to these devices. Although the instructions presented here are illustrative of a broad use scenario, they should be authorized before to usage by a supervisor.
Hands should be well cleaned and sanitized before utilizing dial-a-flow tubing.
Create a sterile, clean work surface and area.
Collect all required materials, such as alcohol wipes, IV medicine, syringes, and dial-a-flow tubing.
Rewash and re-sanitize your hands after gathering your materials.
Remove the syringes from their packaging and place them on a clean surface area.
Remove the package’s flow regulator tube.
Adjust the dial-a-flow indication to the open position.
Take hold of the drug bag and then the IV bag’s plastic tab.
Remove the cap from the tubing’s spike end. After filling the drip chamber, prime the tubing. Allow fluid to fill the tube and eliminate air bubbles by slowly opening the dial-a-flow dial. Avoid touching the sterile area.
Twist the tubing spike into the drug bag.
The drug bag should be hung from the IV pole.
At this stage, compress the drip chamber until it is half to three-quarters filled. Now gradually open the dial-a-flow dial to enable fluid to enter the tube, eliminating any trapped air bubbles. Once the tube is completely primed, the dial may be closed.
Now, using alcohol, disinfect the end of the PICC cap and unclamp any clamps on the PICC tubing. Remove the protective cap from the end of the dial-a-flow tubing and connect it to the PICC cap. Always maintain a clean and hygienic environment.
You may now turn the dial to allow medicine to trickle into the drip chamber from the bag. Milliliters per hour will be used to determine the flow rate. Verify that the flow rates specified in your individual RN instructions are correct.
IV flow regulators inject through gravity. The IV bag should be suspended on a high pole, as close to the patient’s arm as feasible. Now you may let the drug to flow by gravity into the patient’s arm until the bag is empty. When infusing by gravity, the infusion rate should be monitored on a frequent basis. Simply shut the dial when the bag is entirely empty.
The above list highlights just a few of the critical steps that must be taken while connecting the tubing. Remember, if you are unclear or have forgotten your specific internal procedures, get assistance from an experienced nurse.
