Evaluation of a weekly flushing policy for central venous catheters

• Main Author: Karin Olson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pappin Communications 1996-04-01
• Series: Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
• Online Access: http://www.canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/510/511

The standard nursing protocol for central venous catheter (CVC) care at the Cross Cancer Institute was recently changed from daily flushing to 100 units/ml hepainized normal saline to weekly flshing with 10 units/ml heparinized normal saline. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any change in the CVC-related infection rate of CVC occlusion rate following this change, and to evaluate the cost implications. Data were collected on 39 patients (43 lines). Only one (2%) line became occluded and the CVC infection rate was 8% for non-bone marrow transplant participants and 18% for bone marrow transplant participants. on the basis of these findings, weekly flushing was retained as part of the standard nursing protocol for CVCs.