cathlock heparin

[armynurse,rn]

Can anyone tell me how often do you change out the heparin in the catheter lumen if the catheter is not in use? I have a few patients that have catheters still in place but we are using their permanent access for dialysis. I was changing the heparin the three time a week with the dressing change but I was told not to if we aren't using the catheter. Does the heparin in the catheter loose potency or something if it sits there for weeks?

[Tish88]

Our policy is 1 time a week.

If you are using a permanent access without having any issues, why don't you get the catheter taken out?

[qtauj217]

At my facility we do the catheter care including the heparin cathlock three times a week. I would think that if you still have orders to give the medication three times a week, then that is what you should do.

[island40]

I did dialysis from '01-'04 and the facility policy was change the heparin with every dressing change. If you don't and it gets plugged they it is useless. The only reason we kept them was during the maturation process of the permanent access as an emergency back up - their lifeline if the surgical fistula or graft didn't work out.

[LiverpoolJane]

Weekly only if it's not in use. We have a few patients who hold between plasma exchanges and weekly has been adaquate.

[Karen Huang]

[wiki][wiki][/wiki][/wiki]

Can anyone tell me how often do you change out the heparin in the catheter lumen if the catheter is not in use? I have a few patients that have catheters still in place but we are using their permanent access for dialysis. I was changing the heparin the three time a week with the dressing change but I was told not to if we aren't using the catheter. Does the heparin in the catheter loose potency or something if it sits there for weeks?

[Tish88]

1 time a week is good enough for heparin exchange.

How long have you been using the fistula or graft? Is it time to get the catheter out?