Training on Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) management through a credentialed training program with skill validation is critical to patient safety and quality outcomes. The course modules address current standards and basic principles of central line care including catheter types, insertion planning, documentation, line maintenance, access, medication administration, flushing, complication prevention and caregiver education. Patient situations are used to reinforce best practice and the situations most often encountered in practice. Special population considerations: pediatric, geriatric, and cancer patients are also included. Following completion of the modules, participants will complete the hands on skill session which includes skill practice and testing stations. Following the skills session, participants will receive a certificate of completion in Central Line Management and can begin implementation of the training at their hospital system.

Over 5 million central line are placed annually, with the majority of patients no receiving infusion care, access, hazardous drug delivery and maintenance in the home setting. With care managed by an expanded group of providers including family members, home care agencies and long-term care facilities, this course is an essential to improving the quality of care for central line patients and meets the CDC guidelines for having only trained personnel who demonstrate competence and routine knowledge checks engage in central line care (CDC, 2017).

Learning Objectives

• Identify the considerations when selecting the appropriate vascular access for the prescribed therapy and patient specific needs.
• Describe best practice for routine CVAD management including the use of checklists and advances in technology and equipment.
• Describe the steps for central line care including: flushing, giving medications, changing a needleless connector, and changing a dressing.
• Identify the core competencies for specimen collection (routine labs and cultures) and the administration, routine monitoring, safe practice recommendations and clinical guidelines for fluid (Parenteral nutrition) and hazardous medication (chemotherapy) administration.
• Describe the causes, symptoms, prevention and management of common central line problems including: occlusion, infiltration and extravasation, air embolism, deep vein thrombosis and superficial thrombophlebitis, preventing infection, preventing catheter movement, nerve pressure and arrhythmias.
• Identify education programs that empower patients and caregivers on the proper central line care and how to manage everyday activities including bathing, exercise, and traveling.
• Identify the considerations when selecting the appropriate vascular access for the prescribed therapy and patient specific needs.
• Identify steps to improve central line management including a review of best practice programs and the identification of current policies and use of the evaluation checklists to determine if current practices is followed.

Course Outline

• Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD): Indications and Patient Considerations
• Patient Safety CVAD Post-Insertion Checks and Access
• Best Practice for Routine CVAD Management
  • Flushing
  • Changing the Needleless Connector
  • Securement Devices
  • Changing the Dressing
• Guidelines and Management of Fluid Administration and Specimen Collection
  • Giving Fluids and Medication
  • Giving Parenteral Nutrition
  • Specimen Collection
  • Accessing and Removing the Noncoring Needle
• Complication Prevention and Management
• Patient Education and Home Management
• System Improvement: Teams, Policies and Evaluation Options
• Special Populations: Pediatric, Geriatric and Cancer Patients

Target Audience

• Anyone teaching families and caregivers central line home care skills
• Any member of the healthcare team or patient safety experts to support the best prep, discharge and management of a CVAD in any setting. Surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, home care providers, nurse aids and patient safety experts are prime participants.

Contact

If you have any questions about this course, please contact surgicalpatienteducation@facs.org.

For technical assistance, please contact learning@facs.org.