Our hospital policy states that only 10 ml syringes are safe for injecting into central lines. However, some pain medications like dilaudid only come in smaller syringes that cannot be tampered with. If the PICC line has been flushed with a 10 ml syring and assessed can a smaller syring be used for injecting these medications?
Yes, definitely. Assess patency by flushing and obtaining a blood return. If no resistance and blood return is present, proceed with the size syringe that is best of the med being given. Do not transfer med to a larger syringe. See INS SOP Flushing and Locking.
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