PA-PSRS has received reports of intravenous (IV) tubing rupturing during contrast media injections into patients during computed tomography scans. Many of these occurrences result in contrast or blood and fluids contacting patients or staff. Similar events have also been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Contact with contrast media or blood and fluid could result in harm to patients or staff. In addition, rupture of a set would cause delay or cancellation of the contrast study. Often, conventional IV tubing, which can easily rupture, is used to introduce the contrast media through a power injector, spraying contrast medium or blood and fluid onto patients or staff. FDA has developed guidelines to prevent harm to patients and staff during contrast injections, which include checking the labeling of each vascular access device for its maximum pressure and flow rates, knowing the pressure limit setting for the power injector and how to adjust it, and ensuring that the pressure limit set for the power injector does not exceed the maximum labeled pressure for the tubing or other vascular access device.
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