Pressure Transducer Setup

This document outlines the steps required to set up and connect a pressure transducer to a patient monitoring system. The process involves careful assembly, ensuring airtight connections, and verifying the absence of air in the fluid path to ensure accurate readings.

Step 1

Utilize aseptic techniques to remove the transducer or monitoring kit from its packaging. Inspect all fittings thoroughly to ensure they are securely connected.

Step 2

Carefully slide the transducer into the pole mount. Connect the cable by attaching the cable extension to the reusable cable. Proceed to connect the other end of the reusable cable from the pressure transducer to the patient monitor cable.

Step 3

Ensure that the electrical connections of the cable extension remain dry to prevent erratic readings. Prepare the IV solution bag by removing all air from it. Begin by closing the clamp on the set.

Step 4

Remove the white protective cap from the administration set spike and carefully insert it into the IV solution bag. Place the bag into the pressure administration cuff and hang it from the IV pole.

Step 5

Fill the drip chamber halfway by gently squeezing it, then open the clamps on the administration set. Remove the white vented cap from the zeroing stopcock. Activate the fast flush valve on the continuous flush device and, using gravity, slowly fill the transducer until it is free of air.

Step 6

Flush fluid through the transducer and the side port of the stopcock. Turn the handle of the zeroing stopcock to the 'off' position towards the side port. Place a yellow non-vented cap, obtained from the spare parts bag, onto the side port of the stopcock.

Step 7

Utilize gravity to activate the fast flush valve on the continuous flush device, ensuring all air is purged from the fluid path. Remove the white cover from the patient connector and flush the remainder of the patient line. Cover the patient connector with a yellow non-vented cap, verifying all air is purged from the fluid path.

Step 8

Confirm that all stopcock handles are turned 'off' towards the side ports and that each side port is covered with yellow non-vented caps.

Step 9

Pressurize the solution bag to 300 millimeters of mercury. Remove the yellow non-vented cover from the patient connector. You should observe a continuous flush of approximately three milliliters per hour in the drip chamber.

Step 10

For systemic arterial blood pressure lines, activate the fast flush valve on the continuous flush device, allowing the arterial cannula to backflow during attachment. For pulmonary artery catheters, ensure the monitoring system is connected to the CAVI.