What is saline solution and what is heparin?
Saline solution is a 0.9% sodium chloride solution. It is used to flush medication through the IV line so that another medication might be given. Heparin is a low concentration of solution, and is used to prevent blood from solidifying or forming a clot in or out of the central or PICC line. If you do not follow the saline with heparin at the end of your infusion, there is a chance the line might become occluded (blocked) due to a blood clot forming in the IV access. The best way to tell the difference is to read the label on the medications. The other way to distinguish between the two medications is: saline solution has a white cap and the heparin solution has a yellow cap.
