How to Use Steripath® with Integrated Syringe for Peripheral Venipunctures-How to Use Steripath® with Integrated Syringe for Peripheral Venipunctures

Video Transcription

The SteriPath blood culture collection system reduces false positive blood cultures by diverting  and sequestering the initial 1.5 to 2.0 milliliters of blood, preventing skin contaminants, when present, from entering blood culture bottles.  The following video tutorial demonstrates proper use of SteriPath with integrated syringe for peripheral venipuncture.  Collect the necessary supplies, including SteriPath, in either 21- or 23-gauge needle configuration.  Perform skin surface antisepsis according to your institution's established guidelines. While skin antisepsis is air-drying, thoroughly disinfect each bottle top with an alcohol  prep pad. Scrub for 15 seconds. Let air dry and leave a new pad on top of the bottle. Open SteriPath, keeping the device on sterile package to prevent contamination.  Open blood transfer device, keeping the device on sterile package. Ensure site is completely dry. Perform venipuncture following standard procedure.  Consider securing the site as needed. After achieving venous access, squeeze the device with slow and steady pressure to actuate.  Once near the check mark, firmly squeeze SteriPath until it clicks to lock in potential contaminants. The diversion chamber should be full, with only a small air bubble visible.  Pull back on syringe plunger to collect blood culture sample following standard procedure. After collecting blood culture sample, slide clamp to occlude tubing.  Disconnect SteriPath with syringe attached. Place device on sterile packaging. Be sure not to push syringe plunger.  If required, attach syringe to collect additional specimens for blood work. If additional specimens are not required, immediately dispose of supplies according  to institution policy. Using aseptic technique, disconnect syringe from SteriPath. Immediately attach blood transfer device to avoid touchpoint contamination.  Transfer blood from syringe to the bottle using bottle's vacuum. Do not depress plunger of syringe. Fill the culture bottle according to institution policy.  Gently agitate the bottle several times to prevent clotting. Follow the same procedure for inoculation of second bottle. Be sure not to introduce air into anaerobic bottle.  Gently agitate the bottle several times to prevent clotting. Dispose of supplies according to institution policy.

Video Summary

The video tutorial explains the proper use of the SteriPath blood culture collection system with an integrated syringe for peripheral venipuncture. It advises users to collect all necessary supplies, perform skin surface antisepsis, and disinfect each bottle top before opening SteriPath. The video then demonstrates the venipuncture procedure and the actuation of SteriPath to divert and sequester potential contaminants. After collecting the blood culture sample, the user is instructed to slide the clamp to occlude the tubing, disconnect SteriPath, and attach a blood transfer device. The blood is then transferred to the culture bottles without introducing air. The video concludes by emphasizing the proper disposal of supplies.

Keywords

SteriPath blood culture collection system

peripheral venipuncture

skin surface antisepsis

blood transfer device

proper disposal of supplies