CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER CARE: CHANGING DRESSINGS

Course overview

Care for a central venous catheter (CVC; also called a central venous access device or a central line) involves regular assessment and inspection of the catheter, dressing, and insertion site to evaluate the integrity of the catheter and monitor for microbial infection; changing the dressing; replacing the administration set, secondary sets, and add-on devices (e.g., end-caps, venous arterial blood management protection [VAMP] devices for withdrawing blood from pressure monitoring lines); and flushing the lumen of infrequently used lines. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of relevant research regarding central venous catheter dressing changes, steps of the procedure, supplies, and potential complications of changing the dressing on a CVC. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.