A valve actuator that moves in a catheter assembly between a first position where a valve is closed and a second position where the valve is open, the valve actuator including a shaft portion at a distal end of the valve actuator that is configured to pierce the valve, a mating portion at a proximal end of the valve actuator that is configured to engage a Luer device, a diameter reduction region that connects the shaft portion and the mating portion, and a plurality of windows that extend through the valve actuator for flushing fluid, the plurality of windows being disposed in the diameter reduction region, wherein each of the plurality of windows does not extend a full length of the diameter reduction region.
