POSITIVE PRESSURE FLUSHING: Maintaining positive pressure within the catheter lumen prevents the reflux of blood into the catheter during disconnection of extension sets or flush syringes. This can be achieved by:

1. Using a clave which works by expelling a drop of fluid when disconnecting the flush syringe or buretrol/extension tubing. The catheter tubing should not be clamped when using a positive pressure clave device.

2. Clamp the extension set while instilling the remaining 0.2ml of flush solution.

3. Maintain continual pressure on the plunger of the syringe while withdrawing the needleless cannula from the injection port. The extension set may or may not be clamped during the process.

HEPARIN LOCK PROCEDURE: The size of a heparin flush syringe should be at least 3ml . Larger syringes have lower pounds per square inch (PSI) and cause less burst damage to the catheter. Unit dose syringes from the pharmacy may be used as provided. Heparin flush should be 0.4mL of 3units/mL mixed with normal saline, flush every four hours.