Ethanol Dwell (1630)

Key points below


What is Antimicrobial Lock Therapy (ALT)?

An infection in the blood can happen when bacteria or germs move through a central line and go into the blood. Antibiotics or ethanol will be put into the central line to help get rid of the bacteria. This is called antimicrobial lock therapy (ALT).

How is it done?

Gather supplies

Starting the ALT

  1. Make sure your work area is clean.
  2. Wash your hands.
  3. Scrub the cap at the end of the line:
    1. Scrub with an alcohol swab for 15 seconds. Use a twisting motion.
    2. Let it dry for 15 seconds.
  4. Flush the catheter with 10mL normal saline. Use the push-pause-push method to flush.
    1. If the line is hard to flush, call your home care nurse or the Central Access Team at the hospital before going on to next step.
  5. Remove the syringe.
  6. Scrub the line with alcohol again.
  7. Put the antibiotic or ethanol into the line.
    1. The ALT must remain in the line for several hours. The doctor will tell you how long to leave it in the line.
  8. Put a warning sticker on the catheter. The line cannot be used while the ALT is in the line.

Removing the ALT

 After the time has passed:

  1. Make sure your work area is clean.
  2. Wash your hands.
  3. Scrub the cap at the end of the line.
    1. Pull out the ALT using an empty 10ml syringe.
  4. Take out the same amount that was put in earlier.
  5. Flush the catheter with 10mL normal saline using the push-pause-push method.
    1. Now the line can be used if needed.
    2. If the line won’t be used; cap with heparin or saline.

For more information

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, home care nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.