Chemo given via PICCs

[Gwen Irwin]

I have recently been asked about giving chemo through a "free-flowing" IV related to PICCs.  We have one of the hospitals with an oncology floor that believe, since we have changed to saline only flushing, they can't give chemo via free-flowing IV fluids via a PICC.  They report that this is the case after the PICC has been in for a few weeks.  They also report more occlusions that occur with PICCs.  I am checking the actual number (of occlusions) for comparison before and after saline only flushing.  I have offered inservices related to proper flushing (that has been effective on other floors that had a rapid decline in their occlusions, after inservicing).   Has this chemo issue that they report been anyone else's experience?  I am debating how to answer their question and their request for heparin to be added to flushing policy for their population of patients.   Thanks for any help.   Gwen Irwin Austin, Texas