What's it called when dr's want to put an IV in your arm, but only get the needle part? Is it called a Hepa

Question

Is that called a Hepa Lock (just the needle in, but the IV can be connected in the future?) I'm looking for the word for that.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The term you may be searching for is "heparin lock," because initially they were used with a dilute heparin solution to keep them from clotting off. Later, it turned out the heparin wasn't needed, and saline flushes have now been the norm for many years, but the terminology stuck. You'll also see them termed "INT" on occasion.

Answer 2

When an IV catheter is placed and it is not connected to an iv fluid it can easily get blocked with clotted blood.To prevent this a Heplock flush is ordered. Hep lock flush is diluted heparin solution used to flush(clean out) the IV catheter left in place.