UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES

MEDICAL CENTER

PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE:

116

EFFECTIVE:

7/99

REVISION:

3/08

APPROVAL:

3/08 


PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL OF NON-TUNNELED CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS, AND ARTERIAL LINES, EXCLUDING PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETERS

(Done by RNs, physician extenders (with credentialing), and APN’s (with credentialing) who have completed an annual competency check off)

PURPOSE:  To safely remove non-tunneled central venous catheters (Hickman, Cook, Arrow, Quinton, Cordis, etc.), and arterial lines; excluding Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters.

EQUIPMENT:

1.        Physicians order for catheter removal.

2.        Sterile instrument pack

3.        Sterile Gloves

4.        Chlorahexidine swab

5.        Clean gloves

6.        4x4 gauze

7.        2x2 gauze

8.        Sterile container if tip is to be cultured

9.        Second sterile instrument pack if tip is to be cultured

10.     Goggles or fluid shield face mask

11.     Tape

NURSING ACTION:  Must have physicians order to remove any line.

PROCEDURE STEPS:

*USING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS*   

1.        Explain procedure to the patient/ family.

2.        Place the patient supine in slight Trendelenberg position (only supine if Trendelenberg is contraindicated or not tolerated) to potentially prevent embolism.  Have patient turn head away from catheter if removing jugular or subclavian catheter.  Exception: Do not place in this position if removing any arterial line except femoral.

3.        Wash hands.

4.        Prepare sterile field and open supplies.

5.        Remove old dressing and dispose in appropriate container.

6.        Wash hands and put on sterile gloves.

7.        Clean site with sterile chlorahexidine prep.

 

 

 

 

8.        Clip and remove sutures and hold the catheter making sure the catheter is completely free.

9.        Type of Catheters 

A.      Central Venous Catheters

1.        Discontinue intravenous solutions or relocate any necessary infusion to an alternate site.  Attach empty syringe to lumen as soon as IV line is removed

2.        Instruct the patient to take a deep breath and hold it if removing jugular or subclavian lines.

3.        Grasp the catheter with the dominant hand and withdraw catheter in one continuous motion.

4.        With the non-dominant hand, immediately apply pressure as indicated for site or until hemostasis is achieved over the puncture site with sterile 2x2 with 4x4 over it.  Avoid any contamination of the catheter tip during removal if culture is to be obtained.

B.       Arterial Lines

1.        Attach a 3-5 ml syringe to the blood sampling port or use the blood save vamp, turn the stop cock off to the flush solution, and draw back through the tubing.

2.        Grasp the catheter with the dominant hand and withdraw catheter in one continuous motion.

3.         Apply pressure 1-2 fingerwidths above the insertion site.

4.        With non-dominant hand, immediately apply pressure as indicated for site or until hemostasis is achieved over the puncture site with sterile 2x2 gauze with 4x4 gauze over it.   Avoid any contamination of the catheter tip during removal if culture is to be obtained.        

NURSING ACTION :If site bleeds, leave the 2x2 undisturbed while changing the 4x4 and thereby avoid interfering with clot formation.  If bleeding is still present after 15 minutes for subclavian, radial, or internal jugular sites or 30 minutes for femoral site of undisturbed pressure, contact the physician. Inspect catheter to make sure tip was removed intact.  Intact catheter tip will be a smooth, beveled, or blunt cut. If catheter tip is not completely recovered:

1.       Keep patient calm

2.       Monitor for signs of distress

3.       Notify the physician

 

9.   If catheter tip is to be cultured: have a colleague assist by cutting 1-2 inches of the catheter tip into a sterile container using the second pair of scissors – NOT the ones used to cut sutures.

10.  Once hemostasis has been achieved, apply occlusive sterile dressing over the site.  Label dressing with date and time of removal and ones initials.

 

 

 

11.  Document:

a.        Patient and Family education

b.       Date and time of removal

c.        Site assessment

d.       Ease of catheter removal

e.        Inspection of catheter

f.         Length of time pressure applied to obtain hemostasis

g.       Application of occlusive dressing

h.       Patient tolerance of  procedure

i.         Unexpected outcomes and interventions

 

           POST REMOVAL CARE AND PATIENT/ FAMILY EDUCATION

A.      Site care:

1.        Instruct patient to avoid lifting, stooping, squatting, or any strenuous activity for 24-72 hours.

2.        Instruct patient to avoid getting dressing wet or soiled.

3.        Leave dressing in place for 24 hours.

B.       Signs and symptoms to report:

1.        Bleeding

2.        Shortness of breath

3.        Fever

4.        Swelling of the site, face, neck, arm, groin

5.        Drainage from the site

C.       How to contact treatment team:

1.        Give 24 hour contact numbers

2.        Explain procedure for contacting the physician after clinic hours.

        REFERENCES: 

Lynn-McHale Wiegand, Debra J., Carlson, Karen K. (2005).  AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care pp. 498-501 & 451-461. Philadelphia, PA.          

RESOURCE PERSON(S):   Celeste Bryson, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS, MBA; Shelly Armstrong, RN, BSN, CCRN; Ed Horton, RN, BSN, MBA, CCRN;  Cheryl Whittington, RN, BSN, CCRN; Mark S. Rowe RNP, MNSc