Effect of Normal Saline Versus Heparin Flush Solution on Peripheral Intravenous Cannula Patency for Patients Receiving Intermittent Intravenous Medication

Background: Among hospitalized patients, intravenous catheterization is the most commonly performed invasive procedure. To ensure the continued administration of IV medications and to mitigate issues related to the cannula, it is essential to maintain a "non-infusing" peripheral intravenous cannula line. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of normal saline versus heparin flush solution on peripheral intravenous cannula patency for patients receiving intermittent intravenous medication. Design: A quasi-experimental research design utilizing a pre-test post-test control group framework was employed to fulfill the study's objective. Settings: The research was carried out in the Medical Department at Sohag University Hospital, Egypt. Sample: The study sample consisted of patients with peripheral IV cannulas who were receiving intermittent IV medications. A total of 150 samples were selected using a convenient sampling technique, which were randomly assigned into three equal groups (50 each): experimental group 1 (normal saline flush), experimental group 2 (heparin saline flush), and a control group. Two tools were utilized for data collection: Tool (I): A structured interview questionnaire comprising three sections; section (I): Patient personal characteristics, section (II): Medical data of patients, section (III): Factors influencing the administration of IV medications, and Tool (II): An observation checklist. Results: The results of the present study revealed a significant relationship between the patency of peripheral IV cannulas and the flushing method employed. A noteworthy correlation was identified between the normal saline and heparin saline groups. Additionally, there was a significant variation in the average scores of local vascular complications among all three groups, with the control group showing the highest average score. Nevertheless, no significant difference was detected between the average IV complication scores of the normal saline and heparin saline groups. The study concluded that flushing IV cannulas is highly effective, and both normal saline and heparin saline flush (10 units) are equally effective in maintaining the patency of peripheral IV cannulas and preventing complications. Conclusion: Saline flush and heparin saline flush demonstrate comparable effectiveness in preserving patency and preventing local vascular complications in intravenous applications. The practice of using heparin as a flushing agent may be replaced with normal saline flush, which is both safer and more cost-effective than heparin saline flush. The use of normal saline appears to be more beneficial than the heparin solution in maintaining the patency of peripheral venous catheters. Recommendations: Normal saline should be regarded as an alternative to heparin for application in intravenous catheters.