A saline flush is the method of clearing intravenous lines (IVs), central lines or

arterial An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel in humans and most animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; the two exceptions are the pul ...

lines of any

medicine Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pract ...

or other perishable liquids to keep the lines (tubes) and entry area clean and sterile. Typically in flushing an intravenous

cannula A cannula (; Latin meaning 'little reed'; plural or ) is a tube that can be inserted into the body, often for the delivery or removal of fluid or for the gathering of samples. In simple terms, a cannula can surround the inner or outer surfaces ...

, a 5 - 10ml syringe of saline is emptied into the medication port of the cannula's connecting hub after insertion of the cannula. A 10ml syringe needs to be used to ensure correct pressure, whether you are giving 5ml or 10ml Blood left in the cannula or hub can lead to clots forming and blocking the cannula. Flushing is required before a drip is connected to ensure that the IV is still patent. Flushing is also used after medications are delivered by the medication port to ensure all the drug is delivered fully. If multiple medications are given through the same line, flushing can be used in between drugs to ensure that the medicines won't react. This is especially important if complex regimes of intravenous medication is used such as in

chemotherapy Chemotherapy (often abbreviated to chemo and sometimes CTX or CTx) is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agents or alkylating agents) as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherap ...

. Flushing with saline should be painless if the cannula is in its proper place, although if the saline is not warmed there may be a cold sensation running up the vein. A painful flush may indicate tissuing or

phlebitis Phlebitis (or Venitis) is inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs. It most commonly occurs in superficial veins. Phlebitis often occurs in conjunction with thrombosis and is then called thrombophlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis. Unlike ...

and is an indication that the cannula should be relocated. Solutions other than normal saline may be used.

Heparin Heparin, also known as unfractionated heparin (UFH), is a medication and naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan. Since heparins depend on the activity of antithrombin, they are considered anticoagulants. Specifically it is also used in the treatm ...

ised saline may be used in flushing arterial lines, to prevent clotting and blockage of the line. When syringes are used to perform a saline flush, it is important that the syringe not be reused for multiple patients, even though direct contact with the patient does not normally occur. In angiography, a saline flush is used to improve the dispersion of contrast media before imaging, This can prevent streak artefact due to concentrated bands of contrast media in the superior vena cava and brachiocephalic vein. Flushing can also increase hydration within contrast media, thus reducing the risk of contrast induced nephro toxicity.

References

Intravenous fluids Enteral feeding {{Treatment-stub