CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER

Course overview

CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER INSERTION IS A COMMON AND OFTEN, NECESSARY PROCEDURE FOR THE CARE OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS. CENTRAL VENOUS ACCESS MAY BE ATTAINED WITH VARIOUS DEVICES, DEPENDING ON THE INDICATION FOR CATHETER INSERTION. BROADLY, CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS ALLOW FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF VASOACTIVE MEDICATIONS AND AGENTS THAT ARE KNOWN VENOUS IRRITANTS BUT CATHETERS ARE ALSO USED TO PERFORM DIALYSIS OR PLASMAPHERESIS, OR AS A CONDUIT TO INSERT ADDITIONAL DEVICES FOR MORE COMPLEX PROCEDURES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER INSERTION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO THIS PROCEDURE.