Dressing and Flushing CVADs
These solutions may be used to flush a CVAD
What is saline or Heparin
This is the last step in drawing blood from a CVAD
What is perform hand hygiene
This is the type of cleaner used to scrub the ports of a CVAD prior to drawing blood.
What is alcohol/chlorhexidine
Explain procedure to client, including expected duration of procedure
What is both
This is the first step of both skills
What is provide appropriate privacy for client
This should be done if there is any resistance or sluggishness when flushing the CVAD
What is a pulsatile flushing technique of 10 short 1mL boluses interrupted by brief pause (push– stop– push– stop)
Personal protective equipment may be considered for this purpose.
What is blood spatter
This is how long the hub should be scrubbed on a CVAD
What is 30 seconds
This skill requires sterile gloves
What is dressing/flushing a CVAD
This can be used to aid in the set up of needed equipment
What is a bedside table
This should not be done when waiting on an insertion site to dry
What is wiping or blotting, allow to site to air dry completely
Pre-flush with this amount of saline prior to drawing blood.
What is 5mL
Passive disinfection caps are used this many times
What is once
This skill can be done using a syringe or a vacutainer
What is drawing blood from a CVAD
After each procedure is done, this safety intervention should be done
What is lowering the bed to the lowest position
The insertion site should be cleansed in a circular motion for this amount of time
What is 30 seconds
A vacutainer cannot be used for this type of CVAD.
This should be used to wipe off any old blood or drainage
What is a sterile antimicrobial wipe
This is skill requires mask wearing
What is dressing/flushing a CVAD
Measuring the length of the catheter that extends from the insertion site can indicate this
What is catheter dislodgement
The dressing should be labeled with this information.
What is date, time of change, and initials
Name the supplies needed to draw blood from a CVAD
What are alcohol/chlorhexidine pads, correct number of sterile empty syringes or vacutainer for non-valved CVAD, pre-filled saline syringes, appropriate blood tubes
This is appropriate sized area to cleanse around a CVAD insertion site
What is a 2-to 3-in area
Reconnect infusion or clamp the lumen(s)
What is both
When drawing blood from any CVAD, this lumen should be used.
What is the largest lumen
(distal)