Caring for Your Central Vein Access
Problems such as infection may make the access unusable. Then the catheter will have to be removed and a new one placed in another vein. Your nurse will show you how to care for your access to help it last.
Follow these tips:
Wash your hands often.
Try not to touch the catheter.
Don't let anything (such as clothing) rub or pull on the catheter.
Don't get your catheter wet.
Watching for Problems
Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these problems:
The skin around your access bleeds or oozes or becomes red or tender.
You develop a fever over 101.0°F.
The sutures become loose or the catheter falls out.
Either arm becomes swollen.
Remember. . .
A central vein access is often used only for a short time. Take good care of your access.
Important Numbers
Doctor:
Name _______________________________ Phone _______________________________
Nurse:
Name _______________________________ Phone _______________________________