Heparin Flush

[Kelly_the_Great]

Hello, 

 

I thought they discontinued the routine use of heparin with peripheral IV flushes a loooonnnggg time ago but have ran across something given to me by a colleague (PowerPoint) recommending its use.

Has something changed? Or are they still typically only using: saline flush, med, saline flush?

 

Thanks in Advance!! 

[eileendg1989, RN]

yes they have. central ports I believe they still use the heparin right before the access is discontinued.  Its been a while, but I remember using the heparin before taking the hubber needle out????

[londonflo]

6 hours ago, eileendg1989 said:

Its been a while, but I remember using the heparin before taking the hubber needle out????

Yes, the infusaport has an area where "blood can puddle", it is a small area BUT if the line gets clotted it will may require surgical intervention. As many patients have said to me "It is my lifeline". When removing a Huber needle, saline then heparin is recommended. 

[amoLucia]

If my need ever comes, I want an infusaport! 

[londonflo]

2 hours ago, amoLucia said:

If my need ever comes, I want an infusaport

Me too! 

[marienm, RN, CCRN]

To your original (but several month old) question about peripheral IVs, my hospital hasn't used heparin in them in at least a decade.  We also don't use them for CVCs.  And now, with the current shortages, we've stopped using them for PICCs as well (we used to use them for PICCs but I understand the evidence supporting this is mixed, at best).  Infusaports are the only lines that get heparin now.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Infusion Nurses Society (INS) reviews in its standards, that Heparin Flush, if it is to be used on Non-Valved IV catheters should be the lowest concentration available.  In hospitals, most IV catheters are being used sooo frequently, that Heparin flush isn't necessarily. However, in other settings, that isn't the case, and if the IV catheter is Non-Valved, flushing with Heparin is important to prevent Fibrin build up.  We use 5mLs of 10unit per mL on all non-valved catheters.