I am confused about end caps...positive pressure vs neutral....what are advantages and disadvantages....does one need heparin and the other not.....how do I know which brand is which type?
Go to my company website listed below. Click Resource page and you can access at least 3 articles to answer your questions. One design has not been proven to have lower Clabsi rates. You can not tell by simply looking at a device about how it functions. Lynn
First, I believe you are asking about Needless connectors, not end caps. End caps are either red solid plastic, or the newer green and orange and have alcohol inside them to disinfect the needless connector. They cannot be injected through. Needless connectors fall into three different catagories, positive displacement, negative displacement and neutral displacement. None of these three catagories have anything to do with what you choose flush the catheter with. The type of displacement will dictate how you will use the connector, however. With a positive displacement connector, you will first flush the catheter, remove the syringe, then clamp the catheter, if it has a clamp. With a negative displacement connector, you first flush, then clamp the catheter, then remove the syringe. With a neutral connector the sequence is no longer important. As you can see, many find this to be an advantage.
Regarding NS or Heparin use, you need to find out what the manufacturers of your needless connector and catheter state in their instructions for use, as well as your hospital policy. In addition you may want to consult the INS Flushing guidelines.
You will need to research on the internet which brand of needless connector falls into which catagory, or ask your manufacturer's rep or clinical for the product you use. There is no comprehensive list and no markings on the connectors to indicate the catagory of use.
I hope this was a bit more helpful than being redirected to another companie's website. The INS and AVA journals have had many articles about the use of needless connectors, they are a great reference for you, and can be searched on line as well.
Go to my company website listed below. Click Resource page and you can access at least 3 articles to answer your questions. One design has not been proven to have lower Clabsi rates. You can not tell by simply looking at a device about how it functions. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thank you. I will.
First, I believe you are asking about Needless connectors, not end caps. End caps are either red solid plastic, or the newer green and orange and have alcohol inside them to disinfect the needless connector. They cannot be injected through. Needless connectors fall into three different catagories, positive displacement, negative displacement and neutral displacement. None of these three catagories have anything to do with what you choose flush the catheter with. The type of displacement will dictate how you will use the connector, however. With a positive displacement connector, you will first flush the catheter, remove the syringe, then clamp the catheter, if it has a clamp. With a negative displacement connector, you first flush, then clamp the catheter, then remove the syringe. With a neutral connector the sequence is no longer important. As you can see, many find this to be an advantage.
Regarding NS or Heparin use, you need to find out what the manufacturers of your needless connector and catheter state in their instructions for use, as well as your hospital policy. In addition you may want to consult the INS Flushing guidelines.
You will need to research on the internet which brand of needless connector falls into which catagory, or ask your manufacturer's rep or clinical for the product you use. There is no comprehensive list and no markings on the connectors to indicate the catagory of use.
I hope this was a bit more helpful than being redirected to another companie's website. The INS and AVA journals have had many articles about the use of needless connectors, they are a great reference for you, and can be searched on line as well.
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC