I have no evidence that says the port could not be maintained with saline only flushing when used intermittently, but I also have none that says it can. A study would be helpful to us, as we are revising policies.
I have not seen the studies regarding the CLC and implanted ports, but would consider that to be different than a regular catheter, since there is a reservoir between the device and the catheter. Also, positive displacement devices give a little push upon disconnect, but cannot hold pressure against the column of fluid in the catheter to prevent blood backup with changes in intrathoracic pressure. We did not find the CLC2000 to be very effective with PICCs, and the company "guarantee" that they would reimburse the cost of the PICC was seldom helpful to us, as it was much more cost effective and appropriate for the pt to declot the line than to remove it. The CLC2000 manufacturer only paid for the PICC if you remove it and send the clotted PICC to them, which we actually did do a couple of times. It would be my guess that the saline only flushing is working for you because the port is being accessed and flushed
frequently enough to maintain patency, and possibly has little or nothing to do with the CLC2000.
Leigh Ann
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:22 PM
Subject: Re: ports and intermittent flushing after antibiotics
Qt our facility, when the port is accessed and the patient is receiving intermittent medications, we will flush with saline only - open or closed-ended. That is because we use the CLC2000 with all our central lines. Before deaccessing the open ended port, we flush with saline then heparin. Pat Deisch ----- Original Message ----- From: "Earhart, Ann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 4:33 pm Subject: ports and intermittent flushing after antibiotics > Question for everyone on implanted ports. > > Before we "deaccess" patients, I know the protocols across the nation > are different, but most will flush with a saline/saline-Heparin > Solutionthen remove the Huber needle. > > I have a question about those patients who are admitted to the > hospitalfor antibiotics, but no IV fluids. The nurses on our > Oncology Unit > access their ports, then cap off the Huber needle and leave it in and > use it like a Saline or Heparin Lock IV. Our question for > everyone is > the flushing of these lines in-between antibiotic dosing. Let's > say the > patient receives Gentamycin every 8 hours. There is no IV fluids > infusing. Before and after the dose, everyone flushes with 10ml of > Saline, I'll say that's given. The question....does everyone also > Heparinize the line with a dose of Heparinized Saline after each > dose of > antibiotic and every 8-24 ours, or are you using Saline only? This > question came up this week. The nurses are questioning practice > to make > sure it's current practice. > > > Ann Earhart, RN, MSN, CRNI > Clinical Nurse Specialist-Adult > Vascular Access/PICC Team > Banner Desert Medical Center > Mesa, Arizona 85213 > office-480-512-3980 > pager-602-420-3240 > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > >
