First of all, I would like to reveal that I am a Clinical Specialist for Bard Access Systems in the Midwest district.
One question that arose recently on this forum was regarding the use of negative vs positive pressure caps on the Solo Power PICC.Â
One individual asked where to find the information that states that one must use a certain type of cap.Â
I have reviewed the Instructions For Use and see that there are not direct instructions to use a positive or neutral pressure cap with the Solo catheter, but the following instructions are present in Bard's IFU:
"When negative pressure( aspiration) is applied, the valve opens allowing for the withdrawal of blood into the syringe."
"Always remove needles or syringes while slowly injecting the last .5ml saline."
1st...We do not recommend the use of negative pressure caps because "when negative pressure is applied, the valve opens allowing withdrawal of blood into the syringe."Â Â Â Bottom line for me is that I simply tell our customers that they should not use a negative pressure cap.
2nd... "Always remove needles or syringes while slowly injecting the last .5ml saline."Â I interpret this to mean that this catheter requires the use of some type of positive pressure technique to overcome the negative pressure that can be created by the plunger of a syringe. Once again, negative pressure will not allow optimal functioning of this catheter.
I hope this helps to clarify our Intructions for Use.
Please feel free to contact me individually at [email protected]
Thank you and have a great day!
Pam