Central Venous Access Device (CVAD): Site Care and
Dressing Change, Flushing and Locking

Presented by Lisa A. Gorski and Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

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Video Runtime: 8 Minutes

A central vascular access device (CVAD) is commonly placed for patients who require weeks or months of infusion therapy. In this training, we’ll review the equipment and procedures for CVAD site care, dressing changes, flushing, and locking. This course includes

- Video demonstrations of procedures
- Downloadable procedure guide PDFs
- Tips and best practices for performing these procedures in the home

This course will cover the most common type of CVADs such as the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Other types of CVADs include subcutaneously tunneled catheters, which are more common for very long courses of infusion therapy such as parenteral nutrition, and nontunneled CVADs, which are less often seen in home care. The implanted vascular port is another type of CVAD but is not addressed in this module.

This course was reviewed by Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, to ensure the content meets current professional guidelines and best evidence-based practices.

Meet your instructors

Lisa A. Gorski

Lisa A. Gorski has worked for 40 years as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and educator for Wheaton Franciscan Home Health & Hospice, now part of Ascension at Home, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a CNS, she has played a key role in the home infusion therapy program, contributing to clinician education, policy and procedure…

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Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

The MedBridge Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board ensures the development and maintenance of up-to-date and evidence-based clinical procedures. The review board is composed of leading nurse experts in the field: Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, and Margherita Labson, RN, BSN, MSHSA. The review board is involved in…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Introduction

This chapter includes an introduction to central vascular access devices, information on all of the equipment needed to provide this care for patients receiving CVAD care, and recommended infection control policies.

2. Procedure: Site Care and Dressing Change

This chapter will provide a step-by-step procedure guide and video demonstration of site care and dressing.

3. Procedure: Flushing and Locking

This chapter will provide a step-by-step procedure guide and video demonstration of flushing and locking.

4. Tips and Precautions

This chapter provides tips and considerations for performing these skills in the home. It also covers related procedures.

5. Documentation Guidelines

This chapter provides recommendations on what to note when documenting for patients receiving CVAD care.

6. Conclusion

This chapter includes learning assessment questions to assess the learner's knowledge of skills covered in this course. A bibliography of referenced material is also included.