Hi
We are using MaxPlus needleless connector for many years. Lately staff noticed trailing blood within the open-ended PICC lumen after the line had been thoroughly flushed and capped as per standard procedure. This phenomenon was observed few hours to days after. Not sure what's factor causing this. The lumen fortunately remains patent, but still we don't like seeing diluted blood. Any suggestion to what should we do to prevent this from happening? Thank you - Dee Dee
Are you flushing through the needleless connector after it is attached to the VAD hub? Not sure if you meant a hub that was open by "open-ended". Is this a positive, negative or neutral displacement type of connector? Was the correct disconnection sequence used based on the type?
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
Yes, we are flushing through a needleless connector - positive fluid displacement connector. We taught staff to inject the flushing fluid, then remove the syringe, then clamp the lumen. Small amount of blood can be seen along the Power PICC lumen after 2-3 hours of locking. The lumen catheter is transparent so we can see if the lumen is clear or not. At the time of locking, the lumen was cleared - no blood noted. And we saw this phenomenon on multiple patients.
OK, then I would say there is some type of intrathoracic venous pressure changes that is causing blood to reflux. Ventilated patients, those with CHF, or it might be a problem with the internal mechanism on the needleless connector being used. Have you contacted the manufacturer with this question?
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
We had the same problem. We dealt with it for 1-2 years and finally swtiched to icumedical Microclave Clear Neutral Connector