policy for flushing INT's

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I was just wondering how other hospitals flush their newborn INT's. We use .5 ml normal saline and .5 ml heparin(10 units/per ml) every 4 hours. I have heard that some places are just flushing with saline and some are every 6-8 hours. Thanks.

Specializes in NICU Level III.

I'm not aware of any policy regarding flushing them every x amount of hours, but I flush with my initial assessment and at the end of the shift at least with NS.

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Specializes in NICU.

We flush with NSS every 6 hours...usually 0.5mL.

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Transplant, Trauma, Surgical.

I prefer to keep my PIVs that are do not have fluids locked with heparin. Our unit uses 1:1 (1 unit/mL) and generally the order gets written for Heparin 1 unit Q8H PRN. As for saline locks, they are flushed with hands on cares with 0.5mL NS.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

What's the difference between a saline lock and a PIV that is capped?

We only use heparin on our central lines when they are capped off, those are flushed once a shift if nothing is running thru them, this includes piccs. We also used manufactured syringes, our pharmacy doesn't make them.

PIV's are flushed with saline only.

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