To clamp or not to clamp......that is the question

[grinnurse, RN]

When a patient has a saline lock, do you clamp the site or leave it open.

If you do..................why do you do it?

If you don't..............................why not?

I have always clamped and thought that it helped to save the site but I am hearing from other nurses that it's not necessarily the case.

Also, does your hospital/facility have a policy on changing the IV site say every 72 hours regardless of whether or not it is bad and do you think that is a good policy?

Thanks for the feedback.

[RazorbackRN, BSN, RN]

I clamp, simply because I was taught that way.

We do not have a policy to change the site q 72hrs.

[rita359]

Depends on the kind of adaptor you have on the end of the tubing. Some have to be clamped and some don't. Believe it has something to do with negative pressure. Go by facility IV policy.

[cookie102]

i agree with rita359, it does depend on the type of cap you put on

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I clamp...taught that way. We change all tubeing Q 72 hrs. ...... and most IV's.....We do however keep some as long as they flush good & there is not a problem w/the site.

[mart18642]

Depends on the kind of adaptor you have on the end of the tubing. Some have to be clamped and some don't. Believe it has something to do with negative pressure. Go by facility IV policy.

Im agree with above. I normally clamp specially with some hep-lock wich have long tubing, it keep negative pressure in place after flushing it, and it also prevent from blood to back flow and clog up the site.

That just me personally.

[MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN]

I clamp if it's one of those patients who keep getting a blood backup in a locked line. It seems to help. Our policy is to change every 72h, but we can get an order to extend.

~Jen

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Depends on type, but I have the habit of clamping anyway.

Same change rules apply at my facility, but we will typically extend them since we do tend to get many patients declining another IV placement when the one that is in is working! I don't blame them! Typically our patients are out in 2-4 days (ortho), so we just keep a good eye on them .

[JB CC-RN]

I clamp. Some pt have such good blood return you run the risk of blood backing up in the line and clotting it off.

Just me

[AuntieRN]

I was taught to flush and then clamp before removing the syringe from the port. I have noticed the nurses I work with do not usually clamp them though. I believe our policy is to change them every 72 hours also (although I am not sure as I just graduated 2 weeks ago and have not passed my boards yet)