I've had the conversation with 2 or 3 different pharmacists lately who have all agreed that it is unnecessary to pause a heparin drip for 10 or 15 minutes before drawing a ptt, yet I still see nurses doing it.
Does anyone still do this and if so, why?
A 15 minute stop in the heparin is also enough to potentially alter the ptt, so you'd be adjusting the drip to an inaccurate result.
Even if you're drawing from a PICC/central line where the heparin is running, pausing the drip and using a thorough flush is still sufficient.
I'm just wondering how this little habit got so widespread without evidence prompting it, or is it just around the facility I'm at?
Mr. Murse
403 Posts
I've had the conversation with 2 or 3 different pharmacists lately who have all agreed that it is unnecessary to pause a heparin drip for 10 or 15 minutes before drawing a ptt, yet I still see nurses doing it.
Does anyone still do this and if so, why?
A 15 minute stop in the heparin is also enough to potentially alter the ptt, so you'd be adjusting the drip to an inaccurate result.
Even if you're drawing from a PICC/central line where the heparin is running, pausing the drip and using a thorough flush is still sufficient.
I'm just wondering how this little habit got so widespread without evidence prompting it, or is it just around the facility I'm at?