Examining the effectiveness of 2 solutions used to flush capped pediatric peripheral intravenous catheters

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

Publication Title

Journal of Infusion Nursing

Volume

34

Issue

4

First Page

260

Keywords

article, blood clotting, catheter care, Catheters, Indwelling, child, cost effectiveness analysis, evidence based medicine, female, flushing, heparin, human, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, intravenous catheter, major clinical study, male, pain, Pediatric Nursing, practice guideline, priority journal, skin bruising, sodium chloride, Solutions, swelling

Last Page

270

DOI

10.1097/NAN.0b013e31821da29a

Abstract

An evidence-based study examined the effectiveness of 2 solutions, heparin and normal saline, when used to flush capped pediatric peripheral intravenous (CPP IV) catheters. This experimental study assessed patency, redness, swelling, clotting, bruising, leakage, and patient pain after each intervention/flush. Study participants included 62 children (32 heparin and 30 normal saline) who had CPP IV catheters using 20-, 22-, or 24-gauge catheters. No statistically significant differences were found in IV catheter patency between children in the normal saline group and children in the heparin group. A postimplementation follow-up study with 30 patients who received normal saline only as a flush experienced no patency issues. Copyright © 2011 Infusion Nurses Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

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