Nitrazine Paper - Point of Care Testing - Duke University

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 2 of 3 Nitrazine pH analysis must be ordered by the patient’s physician. PATIENT IDENTIFICATION: Verify patient identification by checking the patient's name and date of birth on the arm band. PATIENT PREPARATION: Explain the purpose of the test and the steps of the procedure to the patient prior to performing the test. The operator’s hands must be washed before and after testing. Because of the hazardous nature of handling specimens contaminated with blood and body fluids, it is required that disposable latex gloves or an acceptable substitute be used when collecting specimens and test procedures. Standard precautions shall be observed for all specimens contaminated with blood and body fluid and they should be handled at Biosafety Level 2 as recommended for any potentially infectious material in the Centers for Disease Control/National Institutes of Health manual, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 1988 or in the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard Document M29, Protection of Laboratory Workers from Infectious Disease Transmitted by Blood, Body Fluids, and Tissue, 1991. SUPPLIES: Gloves Nitrazine paper Nitrazine pH Quality Control buffers STORAGE: It is recommended that the Nitrazine pH paper be stored securely in its holder in a dry place at room temperature. Nitrazine pH papers expire on the date printed on the foil wrapper. QUALITY CONTROL: 1. Nitrazine pH paper test strips should be tested when opening a new container and at least weekly using Nitrazine pH buffer controls, 5.0 and 7.0. 2. Check the expiration date of the Nitrazine pH paper. 3. Check the pH of each buffer; 5.0 and 7.0. Record the results on the Nitrazine pH QC Log. 4. Note any failures on the Nitrazine pH QC Log. Retest; if failure again, obtain a new box of Nitrazine pH paper and /or buffer(s) and follow steps= 1-4. Document corrective action taken on the QC Log. PROCEDURE: 1. Explain procedure to woman/couple. 2. Ensure that the fluid is appropriate for Nitrazine pH testing. Do not use for urine or gastric pH. 3. Check the expiration date of the Nitrazine pH paper. 4. Remove 3-4 inches of Nitrazine pH paper from container. With gloved hand, insert Nitrazine pH paper into the introitus of the vagina. Remove hand and paper.
Page 3 of 3 INTERPRETATION OF COLOR CHANGE: COLOR pH INTERPRETATION yellow 5.0 membranes are probably not ruptured olive 5.5 “ olive-green 6.0 “ blue-green 6.5 membranes are probably ruptured blue-grey 7.0 “ deep blue 7.5 may be due to blood or cervical mucous\ **The Nitrazine pH values of blood, vaginal mucus, and certain secretions from vaginal infections are also alkaline. If the amount of amniotic fluid is small or absent but the above substances are present in large amounts, a false positive test could result. The Nitrazine pH test is not considered a definitive test for diagnosing ruptured membranes. Refer to the Fern Test for this. REPORTING RESULTS: 1. Record patient results as positive or negative in the narrative nursing notes. 2. Notify physician of results. 3. The RN in charge of the patient will review , correlate, and assess results over each 24 hour period. The patient’s physician reviews results at a minimum each 24 hours. COMPETENCY/CREDENTIALING The Nitrazine pH test competency certification/evaluation will be conducted annually. The Nurse Manager conducts the orientation training. The unit Nurse Manager or designee is responsible for overseeing this process of orientation and annual training. The training records are kept in the employee continuing education file. The nurse manager will submit a list of certified operators and their dates of competency training each year to the Laboratory Point of Care Coordinator. QUALITY ASSURANCE The Laboratory Point of Care Coordinator will submit a Quality Improvement Report to the Laboratory Director for PPM and Waived testing (nursing), Nurse Mangers, and DRH Laboratory Director quarterly. REFERENCE: Martin, Jean E, RN,(edited) Intrapartum, Management Modules- A Perinatal Education Program. Nitrazine Paper Test for Rupture Membranes. 1990. Procedure reviewed/approved by: ___________________________________ Victoria Orto, MS, RN, NEA-BC Date Chief Nursing Officer
Page 1: Page 1 of 3 Policy Deployment Polic

Nitrazine Paper - Point of Care Testing - Duke University

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?