Central Lines how often do you flush??? HELP

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2008

ins (intravenous nurses society) standard for flushing is only that every facility should have a policy that establishes regular flushing (page s55-56). here is the policy at the last place i worked:

iv and central line catheter flush policy xyz hospital

sas - saline - antibiotic (or other medication) - saline

sash - saline - antibiotic (or other medication) - saline - heparin

peripheral iv - flush with 1 cc of normal saline q8h. sas before and after meds.

non-tunneled central (triple lumen catheter) - flush with 2.5 cc of heparin (100 units/cc) daily per each lumen. sash before and after meds.

hickman - flush with 2.5 cc of heparin (100 units/cc) daily. sash before and after meds.

groshong - flush with 5cc's of 0.9% normal saline daily. sas before and after meds.

picc - flush with 2.5 cc of heparin (100 units/cc) daily. sash before and after meds.

groshong picc - flush with 5cc's of 0.9% normal saline daily. sas before and after meds.

implanted port - flush with 2.5 cc of heparin (100 units/cc) daily. sash before and after meds

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the ins standard for dressing changes are that gauze dressings that prevent the visualization of the insertion site should be changed every 48 hours or if the integrity of the dressing is compromised. if a transparent semipermeable membrane dressing is used change is dependent on the facility policy as well as manufacture use and directions of the dressing material. otherwise, ins standard is that the transparent dressing on central venous access devices should be changed at least every 7 days or if the integrity of the dressing is in any way compromised (page s44-45).

*** infusion nursing standards of practice, 2006, journal of infusion nursing, volume 29, number 1s, january/february 2006

RNlife21 · Oct 12, 2008

Thank you so much!!