Infusion Therapy: 5 Things Nurses Should Know About CVAD’s

 Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD's)

 

First the nurse must know what a CVAD is and where it will be placed in the patient.  A CVAD is a Central Venous Access Device.  This may be a PICC line, Triple lumen, Groshong, or other type of centrally located vascular access device.  CVAD’s are an essential part of Infusion Therapy and the nurse must learn and understand the differences in the types and locations of the devices as well as the infusates that will be administered through the devices.


The following are 5 important topics that Nurses should be aware in relationship to their CVAD:
1.  Nurses must get an order for a chest  XRAY or use an alternative device to confirm Placement of the Distal Tip of the CVAD
The distal tip of the PICC line is best positioned in the Lower one thoird of the SVC
2.  Ensure that if using a CVAD that the health care team and facility implements the Central Line Bundle Protocol
Using the Central line Bundles have be shown to saignificantly reduce CRBSI's
3.  The health care provider should changes the administration tubing every 72-96 hours according to the INS standards and or hospital policy.
All nurses are encouraged to obtain a copy of the INS standards and use them in their daily practice
4.  Nurses MUST wipe the Access Ports each and every time they are accessed
Access Port contamination is the #1 cause of central line blood stream infections
5.  ALL Central line dressings should be changed every 7 days or PRN is dressing becomes visibly soiled or falls off.


To learn more about Vascular Access and Infusion Therapy Join Central Valley Medical and CVAN at the 25th Annual Scientific Meeting held by the AVA in San Jose California on October 3rd.
Also visit our website and enroll in one of our courses.