At the onset of this practice change project, there was a lack
of standardized flushing protocols for central venous access devices
(CVADs) among health care institutions both regionally
and nationally. Policies in direct opposition to each other may
not have been providing best care to all patients. Identifying
best practice for CVAD flushing protocols was just the first step
for improving patient outcomes. Appropriate and skillful implementation
of the revised protocol by the nursing staff would
be essential to maintaining catheter patency and preventing associated
complications.