A central venous catheter (CVC) is a soft, hollow tube. It’s inserted into one of the large central veins that lead to your heart. CVC delivers many types of intravenous (IV) medications through your vein. It can also be used to draw blood.
You’ll need to take good care of your CVC to help prevent problems like infections. To help, we’ve provided some safety tips you can review with your nurse.
How to care for your CVC
CVC can have one or more tubes called lumens. Each lumen has an injection cap at the end to close it off. Your injection cap will be changed with each dressing change (usually once a week), after each lab draw or if the cap becomes soiled or damaged.
You’ll also need to make sure the area where your skin meets the CVC always stays clean and covered. If you’re using a transparent dressing, the CVC dressing should be changed every seven days. It should be changed sooner if it becomes wet or soiled. If you are using a gauze dressing, it should be changed every 48 hours. Your nurse will show you how to care for and flush the catheter.
What to watch for
Check your catheter daily. Call your nurse right away if you:
- Feel pain or see redness, swelling or drainage on the skin around the IV catheter site
- See swelling of the face, neck, chest or arms
- Notice new or bulging chest veins
- Have a temperature greater than 100.4°F or higher, sweating, body aches and/or chills, especially when you flush the catheter or infuse your medicine
- See any changes in the catheter length outside your body
- Notice your IV dressing is loose or soiled
We’re here to help make sure you feel confident about caring for your CVC. Call your Coram nurse with any questions or concerns.
Disclaimers:
This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. Coram assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result.
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