Flushing of spigotted silicone central venous feeding catheters--how often?
Fourteen patients no longer requiring parenteral feeding but retaining the central venous feeding catheter while being assessed for adequate oral intake of nutrients, were included in a study to determine how long these catheters could be left without flushing and without becoming occluded. The catheters were left for between 2 and 6 days without flushing and none was occluded when tested. All the catheters were sterile on final withdrawal.
D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D006493:Heparin