Heplock with no IV running

I was just wondering what the purpose of keeping a heplock in when no IV fluid is running. Is it just so you don't have to start a new acces in case you need to run fluids?

Or IV pain meds or IV antibiotics or antiemetics.

When there is no need for IV access, docs d/c them.

steph

Also - does anyone really flush them with heparin anymore? I've never done it, just saline and we call them saline locks.

steph

I am in my peds rotation and the policy at the hospital is 10cc hep flush. I have also heard them called both heplocks and saline locks.

Interesting . . .I love how everyone's practice differs.

steph

The purpose of a saline or heparin lock is to maintain a patent venous access. The advantage is that the patient doesn't need to be continually stuck when IV access is needed. That's all. As with all IV devices, standards of care must be followed. An IV device should never dwell in place for longer than 72 hours whether it is being used or not.

Originally, they were referred to as Heparin wells and the IV's were "locked" or closed with solutions of Heparin to prevent the IV cannulas or needles from becoming clotted off with blood. Otherwise, a venous access was maintained by keeping IV fluids infusing at a keep open rate. Heparin wells started to become popular in patients with congestive heart failure and renal failure whose IV fluids had to be restricted. Eventually, they began calling these heparin locks rather than heparin wells. They began to become more popular, practical and time saving for the nurses compared to a dripping IV bag at a keep vein open rate. Then, it was discovered that the patency of these heparin locked devices could still be maintained using nothing but saline if they were flushed in a correct manner. It's also cheaper. That caught on rapidly. Today it is very common to see saline locks. Back when I started nursing in the early 1970s it was not as common to see heparin wells or heparin locks on the general nursing units unless a patient had transferred from the ICU/CCU with one.

Some hospitals will still have heparin flushing as part of their policy, particularly in pediatric patients. The reason is probably to avoid having to restart the IV due to clotting off. Starting IVs in kids is traumatic for them. If you've never worked in peds or on an IV team that started IVs in kids you have no idea how difficult it can be for both the kid and the nurse, not to mention the parents standing by having to observe all this!

If the patient is on tele, at least in our facility, it is policy to have iv access to be able to treat arrythmias if needed.

ours are saline locks.

This can be policy too in obstetrics . . .although in my small hospital, we didn't do this on a regular basis.

Of course I'm torn - it is nice not to have to stick someone in labor but if something goes wrong, it is nice to have a saline lock in them.

Daytonite - great post!

steph