I re -wrote our port policy and some do not agree with me about the flush I say we use 100 units per ml (5 ml) for monthly accesss and when we deaccess....for locked ports I want to decrease the heparin to either 10 units per ml (5 ml) or have them draw up 1 ml of 100 units per ml and mix with 4 ml NS for a total of 5 ml.....they think we should leave it at the 500 units...but when a port is locked we are accessing it a lot..maybe 4-10 times per day on a hospitalized pt.....I thought the INS flushing protocols/cards only said to use the 500 units on those instances I said.......Does it specify b/c in the third edition of the INS text it leaves room for a little interpretation any help out there!!!!
You can also look at the ONS Access Device Guidelines (2nd edition) for more information regarding this topic.
Angelo M. Aguila, MSN, RN, VA-BC
Vascular Access Nurse
[email protected]
The most current I could find from ONS is 2004 and I have seen those..I was looking for something more current....I was looking for a solution other than hanging a med line......I think low dose Heparin for frequent intermitent use is OK...say 50-100 units as long as the volume is enough (approx 5-6 ml)..I am not talking about de-accessing with the 500 units (100 units per ml) only the flush when it is locked and being used a lot during a hospitalization or home infusion ....what are others doing?