Central Lines

[Judy T]

Would anyone share their policy on flushing central lines?We are using a triple lumen for antibiotics (Nursing home setting)with the SASH method. Currently we are using 5cc Normal saline and 5cc Heparin (100 unit). What are others doing? Also, how often do you do dressing changes? I am seeing numbers ranging from 3 to 7 days.

Thank you

Judy

[RENZO DAGNESSES]

WHERE I WORK,WE USE SASH ( 5cc NS ) and 1cc

of Heparin(100U).We do change central line

dressings q3 days (Mondays,Wednesdays and fridays).we have been doing this for years

now.

Renzo,South florida.

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[Kathy Fuller]

To irrigate a central line is dependent on the type et size of the catheter used. We irrigate line that are being used for antibiotic or TPN using the SASH method also. Using 10cc of NACl et 2.5- 5 cc of 100U/ml Heparin in no larger than a 12 cc syringe.Dressing are changed intially q 3 days then up to 7 after well establish. If line not being used consistently will flush line only daily - q o day.

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[sofia116]

hi, i'm from a regional hospital in Canada. How about using 10 u/ml for locking the line? Anyone used it before?

[jujujor52]

if you use a CLC injection cap , you only need to use saline, no heparin. we have been doing this for a long time and it works great.

[petsrn74]

I work in a PICU and we use only 10u/ml heparin for flushing lines using the SASH method. We haven't experienced any problems.

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

To irrigate a central line is dependent on the type et size of the catheter used. We irrigate line that are being used for antibiotic or TPN using the SASH method also. Using 10cc of NACl et 2.5- 5 cc of 100U/ml Heparin in no larger than a 12 cc syringe.Dressing are changed intially q 3 days then up to 7 after well establish. If line not being used consistently will flush line only daily - q o day.

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0

Maybe I'm misinterpreting how you're using the line, but if you're infusing TPN why are you flushing the line? Our TPN is infused over 24 hours so I guess if you're running TPN it's daily? Why would you flush with heparin?

I think you mean you don't use a syringe smaller than a 12 mL. These questions aren't meant to be critical but just wanting to know the reasoning.

[augigi, CNS]

The frequency of dressing change should depend upon the dressing you are using. There is a copious amount of research into this question, if you do a lit search.