method for obtaining blood for ACT from femoral sheath

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hi everyone...

i'm been practising the below method to check ACT for post PCI patient.. however recently different ppl practice differently in my unit.. i wonder wat's the recommendation method and at the same time does not affect the ACT result...

1. draw out 20mls of blood from femoral sheath

2. draw out another 2mls of blood to check ACT

3. return back the 20mls of blood drawn earlier on

4. flush with 10mls of 0.9% normal saline

5 lastly lock with 5mls of heparin saline ( 50units of heparin)

thanks

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Look for your dept policy on this, or ck w/your Nurse Manager (he/she should certainly be made aware this is being performed differently in the unit).

If there is no standard policy, probably one should be written so practice is standardized.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Cath Lab.

Just curious...why is the sheath not hooked up to a pressure line?

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