Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

saline/heparine lock

English answer:

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Added to glossary by liz askew
Mar 11, 2008 17:48
16 yrs ago
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English term

saline/heparine lock

English Medical Medical (general) infusion
Flush both IV saline locks (heparin locks) with 5-10 mL NS to document IV catheter patency.
[why the adjectives "saline" or "heparin" - in my document these lock are used for all kinds of infusions]
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Mar 21, 2008 23:15: liz askew Created KOG entry

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Heparin v saline locks; "hosing"; reading in the OR; sterility of dropped packages; trays as prep table covers - Clinical Issues - operating room
AORN Journal, Dec, 2001 by Carol Petersen

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Question: The policy at our ambulatory surgery center mandates that all patients undergoing surgery have IV lines administered. Patients who receive general, block, or spinal anesthesia have their IV lines connected to IV fluid. Patients who receive conscious sedation have IV lines with a heparin lock. Some anesthesia care providers would like us to use saline locks instead of heparin locks. Is this safer?

Answer: Both heparin and saline locks are acceptable for maintaining the patency of IV catheters. There is no difference in the use of saline versus heparin in maintaining patency, decreasing the incidence of phlebitis, or increasing the duration of IV placement. (1) Quality control and cost considerations, however, make saline the optimal choice.

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The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists recommends using a 0.9% sodium chloride injection instead of a heparin flush for IV lock devices. (2) The most valuable benefit of using a saline flush solution in saline locks is that it eliminates the risks related to heparin (eg, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, hemorrhage, medication incompatibility). Some antibiotics, such as gentamicin, penicillin G, tetracycline, methicillin, erythromycin, and vancomycin, are not compatible with heparin. Other medications that are not compatible with heparin include meperidine, codeine, morphinepromethazine, diazepam, and hydroxyzine. (3) When it is necessary to administer incompatible medication through a heparin lock, one must irrigate with 0.9% sodium chloride before administration. (4)
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