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nanmal
Catheter fill volumes for antibiotic lock therapy
We are in the process of adopting a protocol for antibiotic lock therapy from Hershey Medical Center.  Our infectious disease physician is spearheading this effort.  Hershey just uses a 2 ml fill volume for all catheters.  I have been asked if there is some other, more precise way of calculating fill volumes for the instillation since catheters vary in length for each patient.  Is there a formula to use incorporating catheter length or is using 2 ml across the board a safe way to go?
lynncrni
Each brand of catheter will

Each brand of catheter will have the priming volume for each size of catheter included in the instructions for use booklet. This booklet is included in each sterile package for all types of catheters. The numbers listed will be the fill volume for the catheter as it comes from the manufacturer, however trimming to a patient specific length will change this. You can find a formula for this calculation in this reference:

1.    Lawson M, Vertenstein MJ. Methods for determining the internal volume of central venous catheters. Journal of Intravenous Nursing. 1993;16(3):148-155.
 

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI

www.hadawayassociates.com

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

momdogz
I made a chart with

I made a chart with calculations already made for 5cm increments of each lumen of all of the different types of trimmable CVADs that we use, as well as the priming volumes for the non-trimmable catheters.  Bard Access also provides a formula for Power Ports.

This information is part of the ALT ordering process, and available to nursing staff.

 

 

Mari Cordes, BS RN 

Nurse Educator IV Therapy
Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington VT
Educator, Bard Access Systems 

Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center

Karen Day
Karen Day's picture
Hey Mari Hope to see you at

Hey Mari

Hope to see you at AVA this year as I will be there.  Today, however, I think my brain is still home in the bed sleeping, forgive me for asking but what is the ALT ordering process as I would like to have a copy of this chart you made.  thanks.

 

karrenberg
I  would like a copy of the
I  would like a copy of the chart but for cath flo protocol. I would like to c lear something up re: cath flo.  For occluded catheters you obviouslly don't need the priming volume.  However in looking at the downloads I saw a p &p from one of the hospitals that included the infuisng of cath flo for catheters that had no blood return. To my knowledge, cath flo itself has no recommendation for this type of application, is there any documentation out there that supports this type of use? Does anyone out there have any other p & p's for cath flo besides the one on this site?
momdogz
I've attached the chart

I've attached the chart (a previous version without the increments is in the downloads section of iv-therapy.net).

Because our facility uses mostly Bard products - these are mostly Bard priming volumes.  Note that you can also use the direct measurement method to determine.

I will be checking these computations with the Lawson method - if there are major differences, I'll let you know. 

Hi Karen - I will see you at AVA!

Mari Cordes, BS RN 

Nurse Educator IV Therapy
Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington VT
Educator, Bard Access Systems 

Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center

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