Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Central Line

You are going home with a central line. It’s also called a central venous access device (CVAD) or central venous catheter (CVC). A small, soft tube (catheter) has been put in a vein that leads to your heart. This provides medicine during your treatment. It is taken out when you no longer need it. At home, you need to take care of your central line to keep it working. A central line has a high infection risk. So you must take extra care washing your hands and preventing the spread of germs. This sheet will help you remember what to do at home.

Understanding your role

• A nurse or other healthcare provider will teach you and your caregivers how to care for the central line. Before leaving the hospital, make sure you understand what to do at home, how long you may need the central line, and when to have a follow-up visit.

• You will likely be told to flush the central line with saline or heparin solution. You may also be told to change the catheter’s injection caps and change the bandage (dressing). Or, a nurse may do this for you during a follow-up visit. Only do these things if you’re told to do so. Follow the instructions you were given.

Protecting the central line

If the central line gets damaged, it won’t work right and could raise your chance of infection. Call your healthcare team right away if any damage occurs. To protect the central line at home:

• Prevent infection. Use good hand hygiene by following the guidelines on this sheet. Don’t touch the catheter or dressing unless you need to. And always clean your hands before and after you come in contact with any part of the central line. Your caregivers, family members, and any visitors should use good hand hygiene, too.

• Keep the central line dry. The catheter and dressing must stay dry. Don’t take baths, go swimming, use a hot tub, or do other activities that could get the central line wet. Take a sponge bath to avoid getting the central line wet, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. Ask your provider about the best way to keep the line dry when bathing or showering. If the dressing does get wet, change it only if you have been shown how. Otherwise, call your healthcare team right away for help.

• Avoid damage. Don’t use any sharp or pointy objects around the catheter. This includes scissors, pins, knives, razors, or anything else that could cut it or put a hole in it (puncture it). Also, don’t let anything pull or rub on the catheter, such as clothing.

• Watch for signs of problems. Pay attention to how much of the catheter sticks out from your skin. If this changes at all, let your healthcare provider know. Also watch for cracks, leaks, or other damage. If the dressing becomes dirty, loose, or wet, change it (if you have been instructed to). Or call your healthcare team right away.

• Avoid lowering your chest below your waist. This includes bending at the waist to do things like tying your shoes. When your chest is below your waist, especially for a long time, the catheter’s internal tip could slip out of place in the vein.

• Tell your healthcare team if you vomit or have severe coughing. This can also make the catheter slip out of place.

Risk of blood clot

If a blood clot forms it can block blood flow through the vein where the catheter is placed. Signs of a blood clot include pain or swelling in your neck, face, chest or arm. If you have any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away. You may need an ultrasound exam to find the blood clot. You may also be treated with a blood thinner.