This is a great read!
Ferroni, A. et al., Pulsatile Flushing as a Strategy to Prevet Bacterial Colonization of Vascular Access Devices; Medical Devices: Evidence and Research 2014; 7:379-383
Summary: This article is one of the first of this decade to provide research into flushing, the most effective types of flushing and the impact of vigorous flushing on bacterial attachment. The authors provided this research in open access form so the full article can be retrieved and easily disseminated. By using pulsatile flushing bacterial attachment is lessened, colonization in catheters reduced and the body’s own immunity may effectively overcome contamination that may move into the bloodstream. Our first goal is to avoid contamination into catheters, but when contamination does occur pulsatile flushing may reduce the impact. Further investigation should be given to needleless connectors and open straight fluid pathway that reduces corners and crevices that may trap bacteria making flushing ineffective thus allowing more bacterial colonization.
