• ED Manag. 2014 Dec 1; 26 (12): Suppl 1-3.

AbstractTo reduce the risk of dangerous tubing misconnections, the ISO is rolling out new tubing connector standards that will eventually make it nearly impossible for tubing associated with one delivery system to be connected to a delivery system that serves a different purpose. Experts welcome the change, noting that tubing misconnections that cause injury and even death have been happening for years. However, TJC has issued a Sentinel Event Alert, warning that health care organizations need to be vigilant in managing the risk posed by these misconnections during the phased-in transition to the new connectors. Experts explain that tubing misconnections occur because many different types of tubing utilize the same Leur connector, making it possible for a clinician to mistakenly connect a tube to the wrong delivery system. The most common type of tubing misconnection reported to the ISMP is when a clinician wants to administer something to a patient through a feeding tube, but accidently administers the substance through an IV tube instead. The first new connector, called the ENFit, is going to be for enteral feeding tubes. It will not connect to IV tubing, making that type of misconnection unlikely. The new connector should be available early next year. Since hospitals will continue to use older tubing until their supplies are exhausted, manufacturers will temporarily provide adapters capable of making new administration sets compatible with older tubing.

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