What is a central line?
A central line is a flexible tube that is inserted near the patients heart or into one of the large veins or arteries. A central line can be used to give fluids, measure the amount of fluid in the body, or to give medications. Because of where it is located, it can cause potentially dangerous bloodstream infections. What is a central line day? Central line days are the total number of days a central line is in place for patients in Intensive Care Units. The count is performed each day; each patient with one or more central lines at the time the count is performed is counted as one central line day. What is an intensive care unit? ICUs are hospital units that provide intensive observation and treatment for patients either dealing with, or at risk of developing, life threatening problems. Intensive care units are described by the types of patients in them; smaller hospitals typically care for both medical and surgical patients in a combined medical/surgical ICU, while larger hospitals ha
A central line is a special soft plastic type of intravenous (IV) catheter that can remain in the body for a longer period of time than a typical peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter placed for shorter periods in the hands, arms, feet, or sometimes, the scalp. The central line is a means of giving IV medications, fluids, nutrition and taking blood samples without having to endure multiple needle sticks. The tip of the central line usually resides near or at the junction of a large vein and the heart. In this area of very rapid blood flow, fluids and medications are rapidly transported and distributed to and throughout the body. A particular advantage of the C-line over a PIV is that it is much less likely to infiltrate (come out of or erode through) the vein and, therefore, in the absence of complications, does not have to be replaced and can be left until no further access to the blood stream is required. Another advantage is that the C-line is usually placed in a spot that leaves th
A central line is an intravenous catheter or IV placed into a large vein. A central line is needed to give the medical team access to a large vein that can be used to give fluids, measure the amount of fluid in the body, or to give medication that might be irritating to smaller veins. Your child will be sedated for the central line insertion. Central lines are inserted in the operating room. In some situations, central lines are inserted at the bedside or in the treatment room. Everyone who uses this line will wear gloves. Cleaning the line with Betadine and alcohol should be done before each use. A sterile dressing change will be done around the insertion site on a regular basis to prevent infection.
A central line is a special soft plastic type of IV catheter that can remain in the body for a long period of time. The central line is a means of giving IV medications, fluids, nutrition and taking blood samples without having to endure multiple needle sticks. Usually, a double lumen catheter is placed in the patient. This type of catheter looks like the letter “Y”. For very small children and infants a single lumen catheter is used. This type of catheter looks like the letter “I”.The placement of the line is done under general anesthesia in the operating room. A portion of the central line is positioned in one of the major veins of the heart and a portion of the catheter is placed outside of the body. You and your child will be taught how to take care of a central line. It is important to know how to flush the line daily to keep it from clotting and how to change the cap and dressing once a week.
A. A central line is a device that assists in the process of administering chemotherapy and other medications and fluids, and blood sampling. A tube is surgically placed into a blood vessel. This device avoids the need for separate needle insertions for each infusion or blood test. Examples of these devices include Hickman or Broviac catheters, PICC lines and ports. Hickman or Broviac catheters are placed in the upper chest, and there is an external portion that protrudes from the skin. PICC lines are placed in the arm, and also have an external portion. Ports are placed in the chest but are implanted below the skin, so that nothing shows externally. When a Broviac, Hickman or PICC line are accessed, a syringe is attached to the external portion in a painless procedure. When a port is accessed, the needle is inserted through the skin causing a brief moment of discomfort, minimized with the use of a special cream (EMLA) applied to the skin.
