What is the best way to prevent infection and conserve resources when terminating an IV piggyback medication infusion?

Leaving both the piggyback tubing and the bag attached to the primary line Y-site port until the next scheduled dose is the best approach for preventing infection and conserving resources. This method minimizes the risk of contamination by reducing the number of times the connection between the lines needs to be disturbed or manipulated. Additionally, retaining the piggyback setup allows for a quicker readiness for the next dose without requiring a new setup, which saves time and resources.

By keeping the system intact, healthcare providers also maintain a sterile connection that helps prevent the introduction of pathogens. This practice helps to ensure patient safety and decreases the likelihood of complications associated with multiple line manipulations.