Dial A Flo

In some instances Dial A Flo will help the nursing staff to be able to assure that the right flow rate is being achieved. What Dial A Flo is, is a dial that allows the nurse to adjust the rate of flow to anything between 5 ml to 250 ml an hour.

Using Dial-A-Flo means that you're going to need a hep lock and a saline syringe in readiness in order to use the equipment. You'll have a preprepped heparin syringe and will be ready to connect your iv tube to the dial a flo mechanism. In order to make the connection, take the dial A flo tube and connect it to the clear cap that you'll find on the end of your iv tube. Take off the clear cap and then attach the dial a flo. The flow on your set should be set to off. Take the bag and take off the tab that is white in color. You'll want to remove the cover of the spike, making sure that at no time do you come in contact with the iv.

Insert the spike into the port of the bag by pushing and twisting slightly. Attach the entire item to the pole. Once you've done so, slightly squeeze the drip area chamber and let go until you reach the line (the fluid line) and once you have switch the Dial a flo into the open position so that your tube can start to fill. When it gets to the end of the fill set it to the off position again. You can now take the clear cap away from the IV tubing. You'll want to touch just the wings of the cannula and connect it with a slight twist.

The use of the Dial A Flo can be more than helpful in regulating the right medication in the right amount, but do be sure that you've done everything correctly and that no contamination of the dial a flow has taken place.

When you reach this point, you'll simply be following the directions of the medication which requires administration. Ensuring that everyone who will come into contact with the Dial A Flo is properly instructed in the use and mechanics of it is imperative in order to ensure the safety of your patient.