AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P 2,577 Posts Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns. Nov 17, 2014 Peripheral IVs do not need to be flushed with Heparin. Are you talking about central lines??HPRN
loveofrn, BSN, RN 347 Posts Specializes in MICU. Has 3 years experience. Nov 18, 2014 well you flush Iv with heparin if you still want to use the site to prevent blood clot
FlyingScot, RN 2,016 Posts Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc. Has 28 years experience. Nov 18, 2014 well you flush Iv with heparin if you still want to use the site to prevent blood clotNot in the US you don't. As far as I know flushing peripheral IVs with Heparin has not been our practice for years.
firstinfamily, RN 790 Posts Has 33 years experience. Nov 18, 2014 The only time an IV is flushed with Heparin is when it is a central type line, and the Heparin flush strength depends on if it is a Port-a-cath or a PICC/Mid line. Peripheral IV lines are flushed with NSS only and have been for at least the last 5 years in the US. Check your facilities venous catheter flushing protocols.
KelRN215, BSN, RN 1 Article; 7,349 Posts Specializes in Pedi. Has 16 years experience. Nov 18, 2014 When would I flush an IV with Heparin?When it's a central line (CVL, PICC, Port-a-cath).When should I specifically not flush with Heparin?When it's not a central line.
ArtClassRN, ADN, RN 630 Posts Specializes in Med Surg. Has 8 years experience. Nov 18, 2014 When would I flush an IV with Heparin? When you have an order.When should I specifically not flush with Heparin? When you don't have an order.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN 5,047 Posts Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro. Has 16 years experience. Nov 18, 2014 In my ICU we don't use heparin in CVCs either, because we typically don't leave any one port go unused for long. If they're not being used, we flush with 10 ml NS q 8 hrs (well here our policy is q 8 hrs; the place I first worked at told us q 4.) We recently went to NS for PICCs also. Port-a-caths I believe still use heparin, although we almost never see those on my unit so I'd have to look up the protocol
OhRN25 6 Posts Nov 20, 2014 The only lines we heplock at my facility are ports, and only with an order. Also, we only heplock them if the line is not going to be accessed for 12 hours.
psu_213, BSN, RN 3,878 Posts Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant. Has 14 years experience. Nov 20, 2014 This sounds a bit like homework… But, I will answer…flush with heparin based on your protocols for how much and how often (ports, PICCs, etc). I became an RN in 2008…I have never seen a peripheral line flushed/locked with heparin.
