Hello!
We are using the PASV (pressure activated safety valve)Â at our facility for open tipped (nonvalved) central venous catheters, along with the max plus. For those that are closed tipped like the groshong we use only the max plus valve. We do saline only flushes to all lines except the implanted ports. The PASV is not being manufactured anymore and we now have to figure out what to do. Is anyone out there using the max plus with saline only flushes and not having any trouble with occlusions? Do we need to get an entirely new positive pressure cap that is universal or do we need to start doing heparin flushes of all of our open tipped catheters again? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Jenny Kettle, RN, BSN, CRNI
Jenny Kettle said in her post that PASV's were not being manufactured anymore. I hacn't heard this before now and am concerned. Are they permanently off of the market? Why? Can someone explain this to me? I work for a pharmacy and teach and rarely speak with vendors.
Thanks in advance.
PASV protectors will no longer be manufactured after January 1, 2007. However this is just an add-on device.
Vaxcel PASV PICCs and Ports will continue to be available.
Any questions, let me know!!
Kathy
Kathleen A. McHugh RN, BSN
Oncology Clinical Leader
Boston Scientific Corporation
[email protected]
[email protected]
Jenny, our facility uses the Max Plus positive pressure cap and saline only, no line clamping. A few occlusions here and there that can usually be traced to poor staff technique with flushing. No Heparin for quite awhile.
Carole
I know alot of you out there are heparin free on acute care CVC's/PICC's. Are you cutting the clamps off? Are you telling RN's not to clamp these open ended lines? What is the legal liability of that one. I need to know that one. If a patient gets an air embolism and the clamps have been cut off an open ended line what happens to the hosptial allowing the clamps to be cut off? What happens to the RN? Should you instruct not to clamp? I have reservation on that no clamping issue and it keeps me up at night or those cut off clamps. That is an open invitation to liability and lawsuits if an injury occurs to me. How do you defend yourself "Our policy is to cut the clamps off an open ended line because we use a postitive or neutral pressure cap"? Do not think that would hold up in an air embolism case. Do NOT cut off the clamps. Think again about not teaching clamping on a open ended line. What is your liability
kokotis (Bard Access Systems)
Our facility only uses Max Plus caps and saline flushing, no heparin in any line. To date the success has been good. I would have thought getting rid of heparin we would have seen an increase in clotted lines. But we didn't.
The key factor is good flush technique & no clamping.
Kathleen Hartman, RN BSN
Kathleen Hartman, RN BSN
We use the Max + and saline only flushes (even with our implanted ports). We do see a few total and partial occlusions on CVC's but I think that they may be a result of other issues and not the Max +.
Barbara A. Hewitt, RN CRNI
IV Clinical Educator
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Barbara A. Hewitt, RN CRNI
IV Clinical Educator
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Barbara,
How often are you flushing your ports with saline only? Do you find your flush schedule effective? Do you ever use heparin and if so, how much do you use? Last question, what brand/type of ports do you use? Thank you!
Artie Hansford, RN, CRNI
Artie Hansford, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC
There is another product out on the market that is very similar to the PAS-V. It's from a company called Nexus Medical. it's called NX1450 and is a valve with the same technology as the PAS-V. If any of you are interested and need information and samples, you can reach Nexus Medical @ (866)336-3987.
I can also send you information on this product if you email me privately. my email is [email protected]
Shawn
Breast Enlargement: Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants & Breast
Enlargement specialists in Melbourne; contact The Ashley Centre in Melbourne
Australia.
We are using saline only at our facility and we use the "neutral" BD Q-Syte caps. The only catheter at our facility getting Heparin flushes are the dialysis catheters.
We are using saline only at our facility and we use the "neutral" BD Q-Syte caps. The only catheter at our facility getting Heparin flushes are the dialysis catheters.
BD Q-Syte is not neutral, it is definitely a negative displacement needleless connector that requires positive pressure flushing. No question about this. Check with the manufacturer for details. Lynn Hadaway
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
Can anyone send me a standardized nusing order form for saline only central line flushing. We are not using heparin here any longer. Also if someone has a policy on this, I would greatly appreciate it. My email is: [email protected]. ------Thanks
holly bourg
In the past, the clamps were cut off regularly. BUT a few years ago, we learned that it was off label use, we stopped. We do not want to be liable for altering products and performing off label use of products.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
PASV valve PICCs by Navylist are still being manufactured. Who told you that they were not?
At one time several years ago, there was a product called PASV Protector. It was an add-on device used as a needleless connector with the same PASV in it as the catheters with PASV. The PASV catheters are still available. The PASV Protector is not available any longer. A similar pressure sensitive valve in a needlleless connector is now available as the TKO device from Nexus Medical. It can be purchased as just this pressure sensitive valve and you will need to add another needleless connector to close it or you can purchase with a prepierced septum bonded to the piece with the pressure sensitive valve. This TKO was explained in our recent article in JIN:
1. Hadaway L, Richardson D. Needleless Connectors: A Primer on Terminology. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 2010;33(1):22.
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