Overview of how to access/care for Patients with Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD)

CVC- An indwelling catheter used where the need for Central Venous access is prolonged or essential to administer drugs

A CVC terminates at or close to the heart or in one of the great vessels leading to the heart – SVC/ IVC

Hickman line

Peripherally inserted central catheter PICC

Midline

Portacath

Practitioners must : have undertaken training including theory and

simulated practice must have passed a practical assessment demonstrate knowledge of the trust Blood

transfusion policy Be accountable for their own practice and

ensure their practice remains up to date in line with local policy (NMC 2008).

Take part in appropriate learning and practice activities that maintain and develop your competence and performance

Used frequently in Haematology/Oncology for Drug and fluid administration: Infusional chemotherapy pumps Long chemotherapy regimens Bone Marrow Transplant Intermediate-long term Intravenous antibiotics

Poor venous access

Breast cancer patients - Axillary node clearance

The patient can remain at home for part/all of their treatment

Nutritional support (TPN) Assessment by (TPN) Nutrition Specialist Team )

Blood samples

Patient choice

Administration of drugs via a CVAD will not take place if:

The Patient refuses treatment There is any concern over patency i.e the

device is not flushing or aspirating as it should be

There is any concern re the position of the device i.e the exit length has moved (picc) or signs of displacement.

Oncology Nurses

Radiographic evidence of catheter position is not documented (Important if administering vesicant drugs)

Length of line inserted (cm) not documented to compare with exit length prior to use.

Suspected line infection or thombosis

Hickman lines are inserted under radiological guidance in x-ray Directly into one of the central veins, the

superior or inferior vena cava, both of which return blood into the right atrium and have the largest blood flow of any veins in the body

PICC lines are generally inserted by specialist nurses via the cephalic/median/basilic veins and the

tip is in the superior vena cava under ultra sound guidance

X-ray following insertion to confirm correct placement

Ultra Sound Guidance

N. P. S. Sandhu, and D. S. Sidhu Br. J. Anaesth. 2004;93:292-294

© The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2004

Statlock Kit…!

Take Care not to pull picc line out…!

Exit Length must be recorded in notes…!

Inserted into the upper arm via the cephalic/median/basilic veins and advanced until the tip of the catheter is located in the superior vena cava (svc)

Ultrasound guidance insertion recommended X-ray required to confirm correct

position/placement of tip X ray guided insertion

Follow HEFT Standard Operating Procedure for flushing of lines – Under Nursing Guidelines

Weekly flushing, dressing (and change of stat locks-PICC)

Push-pause flushing technique Needleless Access Device – Max Plus Minimum of 10 ml syringes for all interventions -

Pressure level Use Aseptic Non Touch Technique as per local policies If red and/or inflamed swab for MC&S

Document in medical notes

A tunnelled line made of soft silicone Single, double, triple lumen lines available Has cuff which is buried under the skin. This cuff acts as

a barrier to infection, the line is sutured in place whilst tissue grows/forms around the cuff to secure it, reducing the risk of accidental displacement-(R.O.S exit site = 14 days)

R.O.S at clavicle entry = 7 days Weekly Bio patch Change or When Soiled – ie

Chlorhexidine Impregnated sponge which covers exit site

Follow the same principles for using a PICC Education of patients and relatives imperative

Things to report - redness/swelling, pain, (line is longer PICC)

Teaching the patient/relative to flush/dress lines Advice re showering

Written information to consolidate all verbal information

Documentation of care in medical notes and Nursing Care Plan

Always use an Aseptic Non Touch Technique Remove first 5mls of blood - important when checking for

asperate pre vesicant drugs or pre taking Bloods. Ensure a Flush after each use is used with 10mls sterile

Sodium Chloride 0.9 % (or manufacturer’s recommended flush solution if not compatible)

Needleless Access device – ie max plus connector Site care -assess daily for signs of infection & record

assessment i.e exit length, dressing intact, Dressing changes- change weekly transparent dressing for

visibility opsite 3000 ,clean exit site with Alcoholic 2% chlorhexidine solution e.g. ChloraPrep Solution 3ml

Discharge plan & Patient Education

Unable to with draw blood from line Unable to flush line Consider the following: Check clamp is off Check line not kinked Positional Clot in line fibrin sheath Line is not inside the vein Never apply force this can rupture/split

line or dislodge a clot –Seek advice

Occlusion Phlebitis Infection Thrombosis Catheter embolus Venous damage Pneumothorax Cardiac arrhythmias Arterial puncture Nerve damage (particularly PICC’s) Cardiac tamponade

Urokinase is a naturally occurring enzyme that converts plasminogen to plasmin, which is

then able to degrade fibrin and cause the lysis of a clot. Syner-Kinase is used as a catheter “lock” Must be prescribed following Trust medicines policy Dissolve Urokinase 25,000 U with 2mls sterile saline Follow ALGORITHM FOR PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL

OCCLUSION FOR A PICC – SOP You may need to refer patient to experienced practitioner.

Install 1ml =12,500 U using a sterile technique lock in line for 1-4 hours-label line DO NOT USE and inform patient that no one can use the line until urokinase is removed

Document actions (Refer to SOP)

Hickman Lines Ideally should be removed by the practitioner who inserted the line but not always practical

X-Ray department (planned procedure) Haematology Registrars/Consultants (e.g

line needs to be removed due to infection) and have had training

PICC- CNS who inserted/Nurse who has been trained

Document removal in medical notes including length of line removed

Never attempt to push any line back in position seek advice

Questions??? Contacts: Tanya Szczygielski

Faculty Senior Educator ext 42043 Bleep: 3335 or

Martina keane Clinical Nurse Educator Ext 415730