Evaluation of a weekly flushing policy for central venous catheters

Abstract

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.