Have you actually read the studies on outcomes with saline locking for CVC's? Those outcomes are not good and I would not trust saline only for any needleless connector. Alternatives for heparin to lock a CVC include 4% citrate, ethanol, EDTA, and taurolinine, however all of these must be prepared by a compounding phamacy. Altaplase has also been used. See the last practice criteria on the Flushing and Locking Standard, Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice for the references for these alternative solutions, Lynn
HI, have you looked on your manufacturer's directions for use? Some are able to lock with saline.
Kathleen Wilson, CRNI
Have you actually read the studies on outcomes with saline locking for CVC's? Those outcomes are not good and I would not trust saline only for any needleless connector. Alternatives for heparin to lock a CVC include 4% citrate, ethanol, EDTA, and taurolinine, however all of these must be prepared by a compounding phamacy. Altaplase has also been used. See the last practice criteria on the Flushing and Locking Standard, Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice for the references for these alternative solutions, Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
We have used saline and alteplase as Lynn mentioned.