I have a problem at my hospital in the intensive care units they have many medications going in at 5 to 10 cc per hour with no other running fluids. they are asking at what rate would it need to be in order for the picc(power picc solo's) lines not to become occluded? These intensive care units have our highest rate of cathflow for occlusions and neg blood return.
Did you happen to search this site for your answer? I think this has been discussed in the last 6 mos or so. It might help you to search here.
Kathleen Wilson, CRNI
thanks for your response but what site do you mean? nothing was written
Suzanne Colayori
Suzanne, I mean search iv-therapy.net just so you can read past-posts. In the search bar on the top right, just put in KVO. It might be interesting to you. Thank you.
Kathleen Wilson, CRNI
There have been previous discussions of KVO rates on this forum in the past. There is no research that has established what rate will maintain patency of any catheter or vein. It does not exist. Patency for both the catheter and vein is a matter of many variables including tip location, procedures such as high pressure injections, rapid forceful flushing (both of these can alter tip location), hydration status, coagulation factors, flushing techniques, among others. Any fluid infusion requires a patient specific physician order and that would depend upon what fluid volume the patient could tolerate. 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
I have been asked this question by staff nurses that had the same concern. When I think about the rate that fluid infuses thru a transdeucer connected to a pressure pack, its only 3 ml per hour and that is sufficient to keep a PA catheter or arterial line patent so I would think that 5-10 ml would also be sufficient.....thats my rationale....Agree or disagree? And Heparin has been eliminated from most of these transdeucer lines.
Siri Mosher RN CCRN
MAnchester NH
Sorry but disagree because of the differences between arterial and venous blood flow including vessel size, pressure, etc.and lack of evidence. Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice 2011 Standard 45 Flushing and Locking has expanded statements about patency of arterial catheters. page S61. 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