Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:55:29 GMT

I was just going to say that research has shown no difference between using saline and hepsal in maintaining iv lines.

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:04:22 GMT

we only use saline for flushing iv cannulas in NHS. 10ml plastic ampules

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Bex Wilton — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:55:59 GMT

Hi Steph,

That is very interesting to know. Defo dont want to be introducing that into patients. Surprised we dont have more post op infections.

Will have a look around on-line for any info as I would like written evidence before mentioning it at work.

Thanks for the heads up on this.

Bex xx

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

sisterscope1 — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:55:55 GMT

On the same subject but by no means the only resource....

http://www.infectioncontrolresource.org/Past_Issues/IC14.pdf

There is debate as to whether heparin adds anything useful to the process and is of particular concern with very small patients needing frequent medication/catheter checks.

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Steph Worsley — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:56:09 GMT

Sorry I don't have any references, I just found out about it after our senior ward nurse visited either glasgow vet school or edinburgh vet school, one of them had done cultures on their bags of hep-sal at various points following making it up. Sorry I can't back up my statement with actual written facts but I know it's the reason why we change ours every other day.

If we only have a small number of patients in we use the 100ml bags of saline other times we will use the 500ml bags

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

emvn80 — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:40:14 GMT

Hi Steph, do you have references for the contamination of hep saline bags/ bacterial growths in hep saline...I'd be very interested to read it... I agree about the needle free ports to prevent multiple needle holes, is there evidence to suggest this minimises contamination though?

To answer the original post we make it up to a concentration of 2iu/mL. There are lots of different strengths of heparin so obviously the amount you add depends on the concentration of the heparin to make it up to 2iu/mL.

Thanks very much

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Steph Worsley — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:22:09 GMT

you might be interested to know that after 2 or 3 days a bag of hep flush will start growing pseudamonas to name one bug.

We dispose of ours every other day because of this,,,,,,lets face it you don;t want to be introducing that into your patients do you???

We also use non-return luer lock spikes to prevent multiple needle sticks into bags, tried to find a pic but I can't at the mo....I'll try later

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Bex Wilton — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:01:42 GMT

Hey

You may find 100ml bags of saline more economical as they usually last about a month and thats all we keep ours for. As said dilution is in the formulary as it will depend on which hep you purchase.

Bex

Re: Hepsal/Saline flush bags

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:31:03 GMT

It's in the formulary