TY - JOUR T1 - Flushing of intravenous locks in neonates: no evidence that heparin improves patency compared with saline JF - Evidence Based Nursing JO - Evid Based Nurs DO - 10.1136/ebnurs-2012-100620 SP - ebnurs-2012-100620 AU - Sandra Bellini Y1 - 2012/03/01 UR - http://ebn.bmj.com/content/early/2012/03/23/ebnurs-2012-100620.abstract N2 - Commentary on: Arnts IJ, Heijnen JA, Wilbers HT. Effectiveness of heparin solution versus normal saline in maintaining patency of intravenous locks in neonates: a double blind randomized controlled study. J Adv Nurs 2011;67:2677–85.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed ■ Nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need to be mindful of the conflicting evidence supporting the use of heparin for maintenance of intravenous locks.■ This study highlights the unsubstantiated and potentially dangerous routine practice of heparin administration for maintenance of intravenous locks in neonates.■ Animal studies focusing on the use of heparin for maintenance of small-bore, low-flow central line catheters should be conducted to establish feasibility for subsequent neonatal studies. The use of intravenous locks in neonates requiring stays in the NICU is widespread worldwide. These intravenous locks are used for administration of intermittent medications as well as administration of … ER -