Saline flush before and after

[sparrow]

Perpherial heparin lock for antibiotic infusion: How many nurses use the same saline flush before and after infusion, giving 1/2 before the remainder after? Tubex is blunt plastic cannula and capped and left at the bedside for use after the med is finished.

[soundsLikesirens]

I don't do that...I've never even thought to do that because I never leave a heparin flush lying in the room.

The only time I use the same heparin flush before-and-after is when I do an IV push, because you are in there then; you aren't leaving the flush in the room and coming back later.

[mustangsheba]

I use half the flush before and half after, but I don't leave it behind in the room. Just one of those "chain of command" things.

[puzzler]

Originally posted by sparrow:

Perpherial heparin lock for antibiotic infusion: How many nurses use the same saline flush before and after infusion, giving 1/2 before the remainder after? Tubex is blunt plastic cannula and capped and left at the bedside for use after the med is finished.

I have never used the same flush before and after. The risk of contamination is too great for the small savings

Sheryl

------------------

Sheryl

If you enjoy word puzzles come visit me at www.CrosswordsForNurses.com