Does anyone have any information about the accuracy of drawing coag studies from PICC lines that are not heparinized? We have been told by our oncologists that we cannot draw these from any central lines because there is not enough info/research out there that substantiates that the results will be accurate. This is a "rule" only for our oncology patients - for instance, patients that come into the Ambulatory Care clinic can have coag studies drawn from their PICC lines. Doesn't make much sense, I realize! Anyone have comments on this? Thanks.
Julie Carlson, MSN APN AOCNS
Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
OSF St. Anthony Medical Center
Rockford, IL 61108
The majority of studies have been conducted in oncology patients, however limiting this practice only to ocology patients does not make any sense. The heparin is the issue not the diagnosis. Heparin remains the standard of practice for locking all types of CVCs. Any catheter that has been exposed to heparin should not be used for obtaining coag studies. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Do most facilities still use heparin to lock their CVCs? I thought they were pulling away from this due to HIT. As posted before, we are having problems with our picc solos clotting off more frequently. should we go back to the heparin instead of the saline flushes?
Luana Philpott