Thanks!
I don’t question the need for the second IV - my question was why do they wait until I’m in the OR to start the second one.
In my specific case, this was a problem due to the delays and resulting dehydration. I’m a tough stick anyway - and I was injured (ok, just badly bruised) as a result. Doing the second IV sooner would have meant it went in before the heparin had a chance, and while I was not dehydrated so the stick would have been far easier.
I’m also pissed that the surgical report actually lied about it - said it was gotten on the first try when that was provably incorrect.
FWIW, computer charting means different practioners can’t always see what others have written, easily. It may be that more than one tried, but the last person got it in one. I am loathe to chart what others do, unless I’m standing there watching and even then I expect and policy dictates that people chart their own missed attempts.
Thanks! Yeah, I don’t mind that it took several tries (except that if they hadn’t delayed doing so, it likely would have been much easier). I DO mind that they failed to document it.
For my next surgery, there’s a fair chance I’ll have an arterial line. For THAT one, I don’t mind if they wait until I’m knocked out.
I actuslly have somewhat of a factual answer, finally!!
Had mastectomy and DIEP flap last week and that was the plan. They were willing to try in pre-op but a) they use a larger bore IV (18 vs 20) and b) apparently they don’t do it until I’m intubated and on the gas, which can tend to dilate the blood vessels. That convinced me,especially since there were no delays and I was not dehydrated.
I saw the report and it did say it took 2 tries, unlike the other one where there were 2 failed tries that they lied about.
In the hospital afterward, I asked them to remove the original one, as it hurt any time I moved my hand and was very painful when they used that arm for BP checks. The second site was never an issue.