I am in the process of updating our P&P for PICC Insertion and Maintenance in the hospital. I have done extensive literature searches regarding blood sampling from central lines. What I have concluded is: 1. don't draw coags from a line that has ever had heparin infused, and 2. dedicate ONE line for tpn/vanco(or med requiring peak/trough)/heparing gtt.--Is this true?? There is mixed statements on this.
So here is my question(s). Can you draw blood from a closed ended catheter (ie groshong) as long as you dedicate this specific line for blood draws. Or is it acceptable to draw blood from a line infusing something else as long as you vigorously flush using 20 mls of normal saline (extrapulated from literature), and waste 3-5 mls first? Does anyone know if there are national standards or INS guidelines that dictate this practice??
Can you draw any lab from an open ended central line as long as you flush with normal saline first?
Can you infuse dilantin into a picc line as long as it is admixed with NS?? without running risk of crystalizing? Our Neurologist says YES! Please help! thank you in advance.
And...can you draw blood from midlines? :typing?