Heparin lock: a cost-effective method of increasing safety of intravenous therapy

A cost-effective method of intravenously administering medication and maintaining patent intravenous access via a heparin lock has been proposed. Although this technique is by no means new, it has not received enough recognition for safety, convenience, and adaptability in the oral and maxillofacial surgery office. The increased cost over direct venipuncture is only about $.70 to $1.00, which is considerably less expensive than the use of a continuous infusion for each patient.