We had a recent issue where a patient had 2 appropriate heparin flush orders for different concentrations (for different types of line). We identified some gaps which is leading us to take another look at safety processes around storage of heparin flush for patients requiring different concentrations and/or different patients requiring different volumes. We want to minimize nursing manipulation with the use of several syringes just to obtain the desired volume.

Two questions:
Does anyone stock heparin flush in pyxis? If yes do you stock more than 1 volume in the same pyxis ( Ex: same concentration but 3ml and 5 mL) Do you have any safety mechanisms around this (such as--not on override)

Question 2:
For heparin flush concentrations or specific flush volumes that are dispensed from Rx- do you have safety mechanisms in place for when this medication reaches the patient care unit and is stocked in patient care drawer along with other heparin. (Ex: pt has 2 different concentrations on heparin flush in their pt specific drawer).

Thanks.
DiAnthia