Some manufacturers have already tried to design double-duty caps, but several challenges need to be resolved with the Food and Drug Administration. Currently all tip caps are labeled for single use, so moving one from the syringe to the I.V. tubing would be an off-label use. Also, contaminating those caps during transfer would be far too easy. Adopting this practice could add to the already-serious problem of catheter hub contamination and increase the patient's risk of bloodstream infection.

LYNN HADAWAY, RN, C, CRNI, MED

Milner, Ga.