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original articlesquality of life and supportive careComparing normal saline versus diluted heparin to lock non-valved totally implantable venous access devices in cancer patients: a randomised, non-inferiority, open trialAbstractBackgroundHeparin has been used for years as a locking solution in totally implantable venous access devices. Normal saline (NS) might be a safe alternative for heparin. However, evidence of non-inferiority of NS versus heparin is lacking. Patients and methodsWe randomly allocated 802 cancer patients with a newly inserted port either to heparin lock (300 U/3 ml) or to NS lock groups in a 1:1 assignment ratio. The primary outcome was the number of functional complications, which was defined as ‘easy injection, impossible aspiration’ at port access. Secondary outcomes included all functional problems and catheter-related bacteraemia. We hypothesised that NS locks do not cause more functional problems and catheter-related bacteraemia than heparin locks. Non-inferiority is established if the upper limit of the confidence interval (CI) for the relative risk of NS versus heparin is <1.4. ResultsThree hundred and eighty-two patients from the NS group and 383 from the heparin lock group were included in the analysis. The incidence rate of our primary outcome (easy injection, impossible aspiration) was 3.70% (95% CI 2.91%–4.69%) and 3.92% (95% CI 3.09%–4.96%) of accesses in the NS and heparin groups, respectively. The relative risk was 0.94% (95% CI 0.67%–1.32%). Catheter-related bloodstream infection was 0.03 per 1000 catheter days in the NS group and 0.10 per 1000 catheter days in the heparin group. ConclusionNS is a safe and effective locking solution in implantable ports if combined with a strict protocol for device insertion and maintenance. Keywordscatheter lock catheter-related infection equipment failure heparin sodium chloride Cited by (0)Copyright © 2013 European Society for Medical Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. What is a central venous catheter?A central venous catheter (CVC) is a thin, flexible tube. It's also called a central line. CVCs are used when you need to receive medicine, fluids, nutrients, or blood products for several weeks or more. The fluids are put through the CVC so that they move quickly into the bloodstream. The line can be used many times, so you are not poked with a needle every time. A CVC is put through the skin into a vein, often in the neck, chest, arm, or groin. The point where the CVC leaves the skin is called the exit site. Usually about 30 centimetres (12 inches) of the line stays outside of the body. But sometimes the CVC is completely under the skin. The line may have two or three ends so that you can get more than one medicine at a time. These ends are called lumens. The end of each lumen is covered with a cap. General guidelines
How to flush the lineA central venous catheter must be flushed every day to keep it clear of blood and prevent clotting. If it ends in more than one line (lumen), flush them in the same order each time. Depending on the type of CVC you have, you will flush it with either heparin or saline solution. Your doctor or nurse will probably give you supplies and instructions on how to flush it. A nurse may come to your home to help you at first. You will usually lie down when you flush the line. This helps prevent air from getting into your vein. Preparing the syringe or cannula
Flushing the line
How to change the capYou need to change the cap on each lumen every 3 to 7 days, or anytime it is leaking, or follow the manufacturer's instructions.
When should you call for help?Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Where can you learn more?Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd Enter N678 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Your Central Venous Catheter: Flushing the Line and Changing the Cap". Which venous access device can be used for less than 6 weeks in clients requiring parenteral nutrition?Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).
A PICC catheter is inserted into a vein in your upper arm and threaded into your superior vena cava. The needle port remains outside of your body. PICC can be used when parenteral nutrition is required for less than six weeks.
Which position is best for a patient receiving enteral feedings via gastrostomy tube?Prior to and after feeds nurses should adequately flush the enteral tube. Position: Lying prone/supine during feeding increases the risk of aspiration and therefore where clinically possible the child should be placed in an upright position.
How would the nurse determine the length of the tube needed to reach the stomach for nasogastric feeding?Background: Distance from the tip of the nose to earlobe to xiphisternum is commonly used to determine the length of nasogastric tube to be inserted.
Which pH finding would indicate to the nurse that the tube is in the stomach?Typically, a pH of <6 would indicate an NG tube is in the stomach.
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