How does heparinizing ports work?

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We follow a saline flush with heparin, but in the hep. goes, and in it stays.

iluvivt, BSN, RN

2,774 Posts

Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

INS does still recommends low dose Heparin for Central lines. There has been concern about HIT so many have eliminated or limited the use of Heparin. For example in home care agency where I work we still use it even on PIVS. In the hospital where I work we only use on Hemodialysis Catheters (all types) and on all types of Venous Access Ports.

To answer your question though the port should be flushed prior to deaccess,after each use if locked and every month when not in use. When flushing any CVC you want to flush with 2x the priming volume of the line and most ports have approv 2-2.5 ml. The purpose is to keep the line patent and prevent thrombus formation.This volume varies by brand and can be found on the website of the brand being used. There is no need to discard any of the Heparin prior to reuse if the concentration is 100 units per ml. You will see discard protocols on HD catheters though since the Heparin concentration is greater. Generally you want to use the lowest amount of Heparin as possible for example when a port is locked off and being used frequently we just use 10 units per ml of Heparin but when the therapy is complete and prior to deaccess we will use the 100 units per ml (5MLs). Does that help?

IVRUS, BSN, RN

1,049 Posts

Specializes in Vascular Access.
The Infusion Nurses Society standards now state that NS is preferred over heparin to prevent HIT. So yes, you are right, it does affect patient's bloodstream.

This is NOT true. Heparin Flush solution is the only accepted locking solution that we have in the USA, or that the FDA has approved in the USA. For central lines, Heparin flush solution is still recommended.

iluvivt, BSN, RN

2,774 Posts

Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Yes my point too IVRUS! I even know what reference they used for this evidenced based recommendation and at the time I went looking for it I had a difficult time finding it without paying for it but I finally got my hands on it. The effectiveness of an NS flush for PIVS was researched in the 90s and that is when many made the change to NS only on PIVS. Yes its true many still get this confused with CVCs and think it applies to them too! It does not however, mean that you cannot use it if it prescribed or if is the policy in the organization chooses to use for PIVS. I use it in home care on all PIVS that will remain in place.

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