Does anyone determine what dose of heparin to use for flushing ports based on weight? We currenlty lock ports with 5mls heparin (100unit/ml) for those patients weighing 70# or more. We lock ports with 5mls heparin (10init/ml) for those patients weighing less then 70#s. This practice was put in place many years agos and I am being asked for evidence to support the practice. Does anyone else practice this or does any one have any evidence supporting this practice?
Not sure what weight would have to do with it. It's more based on the volume of the port itself. Doubt that what you are doing is evidence-based, have never heard of this.
Wendy Erickson RN
Eau Claire WI
Agree with Wendy. No evidence for using weight to determine volume or concentration of heparin for any VAD locking procedure. 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