The use of heparin versus saline to maintain patency of peripheral IV catheters has been addressed in research for many years. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHSP) published a pos

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The use of heparin versus saline to maintain patency of peripheral IV catheters has been addressed in research for many years. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHSP) published a position paper in 2006 supporting the use of 0.9% saline in maintenance of peripheral IVs in non-pregnant adults. Their paper made reference to articles dating from 1991 supporting the use of saline over heparin! What do you feel are some of the barriers which would have caused this delay in implementation?