Efficacy of normal saline injection with and without heparin for maintaining intermittent intravenous site

This study evaluated the effectiveness of normal saline versus normal saline containing 10 U per 1 mL heparin for preventing loss of an intermittent intravenous site (heparin lock). The sample consisted of 260 surgical patients from a general surgery and a cardiovascular surgery nursing unit at a tertiary care hospital. Results indicated that heparinized saline is not needed to maintain the patency of an intermittent intravenous site, and the use of saline solution alone is less irritating, causes less phlebitis, is less expensive to patients, and saves nursing time.