The following statement was relayed to us regarding turbulent flush with de-accessing a port with Heparin. Is this something new?
If you use the push-pause method for instilling the heparin, there is a chance that some of the heparin will squirt out of the catheter or leave gaps in the chamber. Push-pause is to ensure that all fibrin has been removed via the turbulence created by this method and that is accomplished with the saline flush. The heparin should be slowly infused so that all of the heparin stays in the chamber and catheter.
We are learning more about flushing technique with new studies but I am not certain where this "statement" is coming from. Push-pause to create turbulence is supported by 2 lab studies, very controlled 1 mL injection with specific pause times, hard to duplicate with humans. More protein is removed but "statement" goes way too far calling this ensuring that all fibrin is removed. Lock solutions are less dense than blood, so a factor favoring reflux. Parabolic flow through all veins, tubes, streams, etc means center is moving faster and sides are moving slower, so I can see how rate of injection could affect this. Do you know the source of this statement? I just did a presentation at INS chapter on these issues. It will soon be a videoconference. More info to follow.
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
No. I don't know the source of where he/she came up with this but trying to find out. Thanks, Looking forward to the videoconference. Will this be on your blog?
Details will be on our website www.hadawayassociates.com. We are in the process of redesigned the website, so it may be January before we make these announcements.
Thanks 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