Flushing of spigotted silicone central venous feeding catheters--how often?

Fourteen patients no longer requiring parenteral feeding but retaining the central venous feeding catheter while being assessed for adequate oral intake of nutrients, were included in a study to determine how long these catheters could be left without flushing and without becoming occluded. The catheters were left for between 2 and 6 days without flushing and none was occluded when tested. All the catheters were sterile on final withdrawal.