What is a Central Line?

A central venous catheter, also called a central line, is a long, thin, flexible tube used to give medicines, fluids, nutrients, or blood products over a long period of time, usually several weeks or more. A catheter is often inserted in the arm, chest, neck, or groin through the skin into a large vein. The catheter is threaded through this vein until it reaches a large vein near the heart.

(Minkler, 2008)

2 Main Types of Central Lines

1. PICC, peripherally inserted central catheter, line  is a long, slender, small, flexible tube that is inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm.  This tube is advanced until the catheter tip terminates in a large vein in the chest near the heart to obtain intravenous access.
2. A central line is long, slender, small, flexible tube that is inserted into a large vein in the neck, chest, or groin.  This tube is advanced until the catheter tip terminates near the heart to obtain intravenous access.

(Minkler, 2008)

How to Care for a Central Line Catheter-Changing the Dressing

1. Wash hands and apply clean gloves
2. Mask self and client
3. Remove old dressing in the direction the catheter was inserted
4. Inspect site for signs/symptoms of infection
5. Remove clean gloves and wash hands
6. Open sterile dressing kit
7. Apply sterile gloves
8. Clean site with alcohol swabs in a circular motion, allow to dry
9. Repeat using povidone-iodine swabs
10. Dress site using a transparent dressing
11. Secure tubing with tape
12. Label and date the new dressing
13. Dispose of supplies and wash hands

(Deadly infections, 2010)

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

• Redness at IV insertion point
• Swelling at IV insertion point
• Pain at IV insertion point
• Fever
• Chills
• Pain, redness, swelling along path of catheter
• Drainage from skin around IV insertion point

(Scales, 2011)