Central Venous Catheter (CVC)
A Central Venous Catheter (CVC) is a special type of intravenous catheter. A CVC will permit a child with chronic conditions who have need of long term intravenous access to receive needed fluids, medications, blood products or blood draws for test without the pain and discomfort of being repeatedly stuck for an IV.
However, having a CVC does not mean that you will never again need to be stuck for an IV or blood draw. It should, however, reduce the number of times you will need to be stuck. A CVC can be placed in the body for a few months to a few years.
- A CVC is usually tunneled under the skin on the chest into a vein near the neck
- The tip of the catheter is in a large blood vessel near the heart (Superior Vena Cava)
- The other end of the catheter exits, (leaves) from the body on the chest
- The CVC is made up of a soft plastic material and can have one lumen (tube) or two
- The exit site of the CVC is always covered with a sterile dressing
Home Care
To take care of the CVC at home you will need to learn:
- What to do in case of an emergency.
- How to flush the CVC every day.
- How to change the CVC dressing once or twice a week.
- How to change the caps on the end of the lumens every week.
- How to safely store the supplies for the CVC in your home.
- Play activities for your child that will maintain the safety of the CVC.
The nurses in the hospital on your unit and from the CVC Resource Nurses will help you to learn these procedures and feel comfortable with them before you are discharged.
If your child will be going to school with the CVC, it will be important for the school nurse or a responsible teacher to know what to do in case of an emergency.
Contact us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 3/03, 2/05, 4/07
