Comparison of occlusion rates by flushing solutions for peripherally inserted central catheters with positive pressure Luer-activated devices.

Author Affiliations: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical, Surgical, and Oncology Units, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, Virginia (Ms Bowers); Director of Nursing Research and Chair of the Research Council, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, Virginia (Dr Speroni); Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Coordinator, Peripheral Arterial Disease Clinic, Inova Loudoun Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute, Leesburg, Virginia (Ms Jones); Adjunct Professor, George Mason University (Dr Atherton). Linda Bowers holds Associate, Bachelor, and Master of Science in Nursing degrees. Karen Gabel Speroni is a Clinical Scientist on Institutional Review Boards. She holds Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Health Services Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy, Business Administration-Health Care Management degrees. LouAnn Jones is certified for the care and placement of peripherally inserted central catheters. She holds Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing degrees. Martin Atherton provides statistical consulting services for studies originated by the Research Council of Inova Loudoun Hospital. He holds Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Public Health, Health Services Research degrees. Corresponding Author: Karen Gabel Speroni, PhD, RN, Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, VA 20176 (karen.speroni@inova.org). Abstract