Using normal saline to lock peripheral intravenous catheters in ambulatory cancer patients

Previous studies examined the usefulness of saline in maintaining the patency of peripheral intravenous catheters. Although patients with cancer were included in some samples, no reports specific to these patients were found. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of non-bacteriostatic normal saline to maintain the patency of IVs in patients with cancer and minimize phlebitis. Eighty nine IVs in 75 ambulatory cancer patients were evaluated. The occlusion rate was 8%, and the rate of phlebitis was 6%. We are of the view that this finding is reasonable, given the toxic nature of the medications administered.