Iv flush

RE: Iv flush

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 06:24:07 GMT

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/24016312/

RE: Iv flush

Sal the 1st — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 00:47:06 GMT

[quote user="Rhian Jones"]

Heya,

I have been told to use hep flush for the initial flush as after an IV catheter is placed blood comes back and the hep prevents the blood from clotting and blocking the catheter. Saline flushes after this.

Is that incorrect? Or not necessary then?

[/quote]

Hep flush is very old school - even for a dinosaur like myself, saline is sufficient. It would have been pre 2000 I stopped using hep flush and I think it was as a result of a lecture at BSAVA, there are a couple of published articles. I think Nick has provided a link to one of them

RE: Iv flush

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:47:09 GMT

Just enough to ensure the line is patent. We are a busy hospital so have pre filled syringes made up Fresh every day

RE: Iv flush

Becky Jones — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:00:32 GMT

Thanks for the help . Can I check about the 2 mls . Would you give that dose to every patient? What about the 3 kg cat ?

RE: Iv flush

Rhian Jones — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:25:48 GMT

Thank you!

RE: Iv flush

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:24:48 GMT

Have a read.......

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SW_QA157.5_Heparin_versus_saline_flush_Mar16.doc

RE: Iv flush

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:21:06 GMT

I worked in nhs for 7.5 years and never used hep flush. Although only worked in radiology. Let me see what I can dig out

RE: Iv flush

Rhian Jones — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:58:54 GMT

Heya,

Is that incorrect? Or not necessary then?

RE: Iv flush

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:48:17 GMT

Only really need to use heparinised saline for maintaining central lines. Normal saline is just fine for peripheral lines.

There has been lots of research been done in human medicine into this.

We generally use a 2ml syringe of saline and inject to check Patency. This is done at least four times daily