We discovered a concerning nursing flushing practice that is occurring in our clinical research unit. After an IV investigational medication has been administered, the nurses are drawing up 30 mL of fluid (usually 0.9% NS) and injecting it into the empty bag. They then run the 30 mL at the infusion rate the drug was run at. They do this to ensure the entire dose of investigational drug is delivered, and state this is common practice across the country. We have safety, sterility, and documentation concerns and are wondering if this is actually done elsewhere.

Thanks,

Lara Ellinger, PharmD, BCPS
Northwestern Memorial Hospital