About this topic
A central catheter is a very long intravenous (I.V.) line. It is a long, thin, flexible tube. This kind of I.V. is used if you need to have drugs or fluids for a few weeks or months. A central line is also used when drugs need to be given through an I.V. and the veins in your arm are very hard to find. Sometimes, this kind of I.V. is used to draw blood for tests. The catheter is put in your arm, neck, groin or chest through the skin. The catheter goes into a vein that leads to your heart. This gives germs an easy way into your body. ‚
A catheter infection may happen when germs enter your body. Sometimes, the infection comes from your own skin. The skin around the catheter may get sore, red, and painful or have swelling. Sometimes, the infection gets into your blood. This may become serious and you will feel sick with fever and chills. The infection may be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, the catheter is left in place when the area around the catheter is infected. Other times, it is taken out. ‚
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.
- Do not touch the catheter unless you need to.
- You must wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for 30 seconds before touching your catheter. Tell family and friends to wash their hands before touching your bandages or your catheter.
- 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.
- Always keep the catheter dry. Avoid doing anything that could get your catheter wet.
- 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.
- Look for any signs of infections like redness, soreness, pain, or swelling around the catheter where it enters your body.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- The catheter will be taken out when you no longer need it for drugs or treatment.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Your infection might not go away and you would need more treatment.
- Your catheter infection might get worse and you would need to have a new catheter put in.
- You might get an infection in your bloodstream.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands more often. Do not touch the catheter where it enters into your skin.
- Do not get the catheter or bandages wet. Getting it wet can make the chance of getting an infection much higher.
- Keep any supplies in their packages until needed. This keeps them sterile.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction when a drug is taken. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call for emergency help or go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Redness, yellowish drainage, warmth, pain, or stinging where the catheter comes out of your body
- Catheter cracks, breaks, leaks fluid or blood, or falls out.
- Catheter comes out of your body all the way or part of the way
- Swelling where the catheter comes out of your body
- You have any concerns about your catheter
- 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 how to care for my central line.
- I can tell you what I will do if my catheter cracks, breaks, leaks, or comes out.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever or redness or drainage from where my catheter comes out of my body.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/bsi/catheter_faqs.html ‚
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) ‚
http://www.shea-online.org/Assets/files/patient%20guides/NNL_CA-BSI.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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚