title: A multidisciplinary approach to determine heparin dosing in pediatric vascular devices.
abstract: In the health care community, nurses are important agents of change and vehicles for improvements in clinical practice and policy. Pediatric nurses empowered with the tools of evidence-based practice and clinical expertise collaborated in 2007 with other health care professionals to make changes in clinical practice for pediatric patients with vascular access devices (VADs). Nurses recognized that there was a need for a change in the heparinization policy for children with short- and long-term VADs. Data were methodically collected over a 1-year period on 500 VAD. Data collection demonstrated a range of VAD volumes that did not exceed 2 mL. The group analysis of the results gave support for changes in the volumes needed for heparinization. Establishment of appropriate heparin dosing based on scientific data led to a decrease in heparin used to maintain pediatric VAD patency and aided in lowering the risk of side effects in patients.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. cmarshal2@dmc.org
authors.forename: Charlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Kathrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boldt-MacDonald
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLenon
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rennie
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faraon
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conoff
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lesnek
authors.forename: Cristie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin