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Central Line Catheter Discharge Instructions


About this topic


A central line catheter is a very long intravenous line (I.V.) The Broviac, Hickman, and Hohn are different kinds of central lines. They are a long, thin, flexible tubes or catheters. The catheter is put in your arm, neck, groin, or chest through the skin. It goes into a large blood vessel that leads to your heart. It allows for drugs used to treat infections, pain, cancer, nutrition, blood products, or fluids to be given. ‚  
Your catheter may have 1, 2, or 3 tips coming out of the skin to be able to give more fluid, drugs, or liquid food. The risk of germs entering the body is increased from having a central line. ‚  
With a central line catheter, you will not need to have as many needle sticks. The line can be used to draw blood. These catheters can stay in place for weeks or months. Some may have it for years. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • The staff will explain how to take care of the central line and bandage at home. Be sure to ask any questions you have about the line and taking care of it. You may need help from a friend or family member.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before touching your bandage or central line. Do not let anyone touch your bandages or central line with dirty hands.
  • You may wear sterile gloves if you need to touch the area.
  • Ask your doctor how often you should change the dressing on your central line. Learn how to put on a new dressing.
  • You will flush the central line with saline at regular times each day. Be sure to scrub the caps with an alcohol pad for 15 seconds before attaching the syringe. Do not let air get into the central line.
  • Make sure that the caps of the central line are closed at all times. Change the caps when you change your bandage. Make sure you know exactly how to change the bandage and caps before you go home.
  • Ask your doctor when it is safe to bathe, shower, or soak in water. Keep the bandages covered so they do not get wet while you are washing.
  • Do not try to remove the central line by yourself or have anyone else pull on it. It must be taken out by specially-trained staff.
  • Keep sharp objects away from your catheter.
  • Avoid wearing clothes that could pull or bend the line.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor will remove the catheter when your treatments are finished. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Fight an infection
  • Treat your condition
  • Prevent blood clots
  • Treat cancer
  • Give fluids or blood products
  • Give nutrition

Will physical activity be limited?


You may have to limit your activity. Ask your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding from the skin or end of the catheter
  • Blood clots in your vein or at the end of the catheter that can cause a blockage
  • Break or crack in the catheter
  • Leakage of drugs outside the vein, under the skin or fat tissues
  • Air in the blood or air embolism
  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Collapsed lung
  • Catheter shifts out of place

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
  • Redness, yellowish drainage, warmth, stinging, or pain at the catheter site
  • Problems with the catheter like:
    • Catheter falls out all the way or part of the way
    • Breaks, cracks, or leaks in the catheter
    • Not able to get the drugs or flush solution through the catheter
    • Not able to get a blood return from your catheter
    • You have any concerns about your catheter
  • Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Swelling on the face, neck, or chest on the side of the line
  • Swelling or bulging veins around the catheter site
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what I should do before I touch my central line or its bandage.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have redness or drainage from the catheter site.

Where can I learn more?


National Institute of Health ‚  
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/hickman.pdf ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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