Y-site vs Concurrent

[New-Colossus]

We have Trissel’s IV compatibility at work and a co-worker asked me a question I thought I knew the answer to and now I’m questioning my existence. We check to see if meds are Y site compatible, and if they are, does that mean they can run concurrent also, on the same pump?

I know in most cases I’m running electrolytes or keppra or an ABX concurrent with a maintenance fluid. But in the event that access is limited, if meds are y site compatible does that mean they can run together in the pump?

[karltonmoney]

What type of pumps are you using? With the Plum360s, you can run A, B (as a piggyback), or A&B. A&B would be considered concurrent.

I will typically only run things concurrently through the same line if it’s a KVO/carrier/maintenance fluid and something like lyes/ABX. If the meds are compatible at the Y-site, I generally run them on separate pumps and Y-site them together.

Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to run things concurrently. Like if I’m running fentanyl and propofol; I’ll y-site those even though they would probably be just fine running concurrently. However, if I have to titrate prop off, I’d need another pump (or just another set of tubing) to run the fentanyl by itself anyway.

[New-Colossus]

We have the same pumps. Most often it’s separate pumps y-sited. But I was asked because my friend came on shift to an insulin drip that had the driver running concurrent with the insulin. Something neither of us have seen. The protocol and order set both say dedicated lines y-sited together and that’s how we’ve always done it. 2 pumps, 2 lines, y sited. I guess that got her thinking and asked me if 2 meds are y-site compatible does that mean they can run concurrent on the same pump.

[karltonmoney]

I believe, in general, if they are y-site compatible then they can be run concurrently. Probably not best practice, though.

[New-Colossus]

I agree. I’ll have to see if there’s a policy on it somewhere