Ideas That Work: Divert the Flow of Fluid to the Rider Bag

GO WITH THE FLOW The tape is strong enough to prevent fluid from flowing, but easy to break when you're ready.

CRIMP AND TAPE
Divert the Flow of Fluid to the Rider Bag

When you hang 2 IV bags on the same hook and need to temporarily divert the flow of fluid away from the primary bag to the "rider bag" — such as with antibiotics — here's an easy way to do it. Grab a piece of tape, crimp the tube from the primary bag above the connection and tape the crimp to hold it that way. Then, when the rider is complete, give the IV tubing a light pull to break the tape and let the primary bag begin to flow again.

Michael Reines, MD
Daydream Anesthesiology
Corona del Mar, Calif.
[email protected]