Normal Saline With or Without Heparin Flushes for the Prevention of Clogging in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Lines in Cancer Patients

Inclusion Criteria

• Oncology patients
• Admitted to 11Blue Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Clements University Hospital University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Ages 18-80 years
• Pre-existing or newly placed PICC line
• PICC line with good blood return (defined as: “brisk blood return of 3cc”)
• Flushes without difficulty

Exclusion Criteria

• Patient less than 18 years of age or greater than 80 years of age
• Refused or unable to give consent to the study
• Patient admitted to the 11Blue Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit with any line other than a PICC line, or multiple lines
• Patient admitted to 11Blue BMT for active transplant
• Patient with a coagulopathy diagnosis
• Patient on therapeutic dose of anticoagulants for documented deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
• Patient on inpatient hospice/comfort care
• Patient transferred off 11B BMT unit onto another floor