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Heparin solution for maintaining peripheral venous catheter patency in children: a survey of current practice in italian pediatric units.
- Source :
-
Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing . Jun2014, Vol. 37 Issue 2, p122-135. 14p. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Prolonging the duration of peripheral venous catheters (PVC) as long as possible in children is a nursing priority. However, available studies provide conflicting evidence on what kind of flush/lock solution should be used to increase the life of PVCs in children. Objectives: To describe the clinical behavior of nurses working in Italian pediatric units with regards to PVCs flushing and locking practices. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Nurses were invited to participate using the network of the Italian Society of Pediatric Nursing Science. Those participating completed an online questionnaire available on a website established for this specific purpose. Results: 405 questionnaires were completed. Results: The majority of nurses reported using Normal saline solution (NS) to flush 22 gauge PVCs: 77.6% in children up to 6 months of age, 74.7% in children 6 months to 2 years, and 74.6% in children over 2 years. Nurses tend to use heparin solutions (HS) more frequently when a smaller gauge PVC is used (24 instead of 22) and when access is less frequent. The use of HS for PVC lock is more common in onco-hematology units (54.5% in children over 6 months with 24 gauge PVC), pediatric surgery units (35%), and in short-stay units (55.6%), whereas NS is used more frequently in Intensive care units (9.4%) and neonatology units (12.2%). Conclusion: Although the majority of respondents use NS, we found a high variability in practices among Italian nurses. More research on the effectiveness and safety of HS in maintaining the patency of PVCs is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01460862
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 95877369
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3109/01460862.2014.895562