Just wondering if anyone out there has an actual protocol and/or general recommendations on what to do with a line that is found without an injection cap on the end. (i.e. It has been sitting open to air for who knows how long?) A nurse called us with this exact thing and asked us to come assess the line. Do we recommend an antibiotic lock or should this line be pulled? Also, what about when a line is broken but repairable? Do you repair it and then proceed with a lock as it did have a hole in it prior to repair and could have potentially been exposed to an infection? Hope this makes sense and thanks for any input you may have.
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
Robbin George RN VA-BC
Our practice as far as an "over the wire" exchange is that this is only a possiblity if the current site is absolutely healthy in appearance and there is no known history of possible contamination to the site. Otherwise, it's a fresh start. Also, as far as repairs, we are pretty picky about only repairing lines where the leakage site has been immediately cleansed and dressed with a sterile dressing, unless the likelihood of success for a new placement is low enough that it justifies the potential risk of infection. Never have used an antibiotic lock.
Kelly Smith
PICC Nurse
Boone Hospital Center
Columbia, Missouri