Here is a list of our most Frequently Asked Questions.
Click on the drop-down menu for a specific question, or scroll through the page at your leisure.



If you can't find the answer to your question here, please feel free to email us:
Clinical Questions
Domestic US Customer Service
International Customer Service
Who is the Medcomp® dealer in my area?
   
Please use our Dealer Locator to find the distributor nearest to you.
 
What are the priming volumes for my catheter?
   
The priming volumes are printed on the catheter (or catheter extensions). In some cases, the priming volumes are also printed on the package labeling. This volume is the total volume of the lumen, including extensions.
 
What is Medcomp®'s recommended protocol for heparinization of catheters?
   
Medcomp® recommends that hospitals/dialysis units use their own standard protocols for heparin strength and frequency. Most facilities use 1,000 to 5,000 u/cc. The catheters can be flushed every 48 hours, but do not wait longer than 72 hours. (Ex.: every Mon., Wed., and Fri.) Prior to flushing catheter, first aspirate out existing heparin lock, then flush catheter with saline or as per facility protocol.
 
What is Medcomp®'s recommended site care protocol?
   
Wash hands, put on mask, and mask the patient. Put on examination gloves. Carefully remove all dressing from the exit site and observe for signs of drainage. Discard dressing appropriately. Examine the exit site for inflammation, swelling, tenderness, or discharge. Discard examination gloves and wash hands. Utilize sterile technique and put on sterile gloves. Clean the skin, moving outward in a circular motion and using appropriate solution. Allow the site to dry completely. Place gauze over the site and tape all edges occlusively.
 
Can I use Povidone Iodine (Betadine)
to clean my catheter?
   
For silicone catheters (Tesio® Hemo-Cath® Silicone Double Lumen) -No. Iodine-based solutions (Betadine) should not be used, as the silicone tubing may be adversely affected. Alcohol-based solutions and chlorhexidine gluconate solutions (i.e. hibiclens) are recommended.
All other catheters can be safely cleaned and dressed with iodine-based solutions.
 
How often should your long-term catheters be flushed when they are being used for Home Health Care? (accessing the catheter only once a week).How often do you recommend the dressing be changed?
   
The Catheters should be flushed every 48 hours, but do not wait longer than 72 hours. (Ex.: every Mon., Wed., and Fri.). The dressings should be changed according to your facility's protocol. Most hospitals change central venous dressings every 72 hours, and whenever they become soiled, moist, or loose.
 
Can patients shower with a catheter?
   
No. Medcomp® recommends that patients not swim, shower, or soak catheter dressings while bathing.
 
What are the CPT codes for insertion, repair, and
removal of long-term/cuffed catheters?
   
Insertion:
# 36556 Short Term Catheters:
Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter.
* # 36555 under 5 years of age.
   
# 36558 Long Term Tunneled Catheters (i.e. Split Cath®, Hemo-Flow®, Bio-Cath®):
Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without port or pump.
* # 36557 under 5 years of age.
   
# 36565 Tesio® Catheter:
Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous access device, requiring two catheters via two separate venous access sites, without port or pump, i.e. Tesio® type catheters.
   
# 36569 PIC Catheters:
Insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) without port.
* # 36568 under 5 years of age.
   
Repair:
# 36575 Tunneled Long Term & Non-tunneled Short Term:
Repair of tunneled or non-tunneled central venous access catheters without port or pump.
   
Replacement:
# 36580 Short Term Catheter:
Replacement of non-tunneled central venous catheter without port or pump, through the same venous access.
   
# 36581 Long Term Catheter:
Replacement of tunneled central venous catheter without port or pump, through the same venous access.
   
# 36584 PIC Catheter:
Replacement (complete) of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) without subcutaneous port or pump, through the same venous access.
   
Removal:
# 36589 Tunneled Long Term:
Removal of tunneled central venous catheter.
   
Mechanical Removal of Obstructive Material:
# 36595 Mechanical removal of obstructive material, i.e. fibrin sheath from central venous catheter via separate access.
   
# 36596 Mechanical removal of obstructive material, i.e. fibrin sheath from central venous catheter through the same catheter.
   
Repositioning:
# 36597 Repositioning of previously placed central venous catheter under fluoroscopic guidance.
 
Can your catheters be used for stem cell harvesting?
If so, which catheters do you recommend?
   
Yes. We recommend our Duo-Flow® XTP, Soft Line®, Hemo-Cath® Double Lumen, and Tesio® catheters.
 
Can your catheters be used for apheresis?
If so, which catheters do you recommend?
   
Yes. We recommend our Duo-Flow® XTP, Soft Line®, Hemo-Cath® Double Lumen, Tesio® and Split Cath® catheters.
 
Are your catheters MRI compatible?
   
Our catheters have no implanted metal components. However, the Tesio® catheter is connected to External arterial (red) and venous (blue) extensions that contain a stainless steel cannula approximately 1/2" long.
Several physicians have informed Medcomp® that they've allowed the MRI test for their patients without experiencing any negative effects. Based on this information, Medcomp® recommends the test should only be performed At The Discretion of the Physician.
 
Can your products be re-sterilized?
   
No. Our products are for single use only.
 
Can the stainless steel instruments be flashed (re-sterilized)?
   
No. Our products are for single use only.
 
Is a tanning salon harmful to my Medcomp® catheter?
   
Yes. The UVA rays will degrade the catheter's material.
 
Which Medcomp® products that I buy contain latex?
   
There is no latex content in any of Medcomp®'s catheters. Components included in some trays that may contain latex are: Gloves, Tourniquets, Hemostasis Valves, Medication Vials with Latex Stoppers.