Vascular Access Devices: External Central Vascular Access Devices
Presented by Lisa A. Gorski
Nonfinancial: Lisa Gorski is a professional member of the Infusion Nurses Society.
This course is the third in a series of six courses aimed at providing the home care nurse with the essential knowledge to safely care for patients who require a variety of home infusion therapies. Home care nurses must possess a high level of knowledge and skills to safely insert and manage vascular access devices, provide infusions via an array of infusion methods, recognize and respond to complications, and provide patient and caregiver education. This course focuses on understanding three categories of external central vascular access devices (CVADs). Important to safe practice are ongoing assessment, post-insertion catheter care and management, safe CVAD removal, and ongoing patient education.
Learning Objectives
- Examine three categories of central vascular access devices (CVADs) used for home infusion therapy
- Analyze a CVAD, addressing key areas for ongoing assessment
- Deduce key aspects of post-insertion catheter care and management
- Implement safe practices during CVAD removal
Meet your instructor
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…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. External CVADs: Categories
This chapter provides an overview of three categories of external CVADs: nontunnelled, peripherally inserted central catheters, and subcutaneously tunneled cuffed catheters.
2. Assessment
Ongoing assessment is important in identifying potential CVAD complications. Assessment includes the components of site/extremity visualization, palpation, and identification of any patient symptoms or complaints.
3. Post-insertion Care and Management
Post-insertion care includes attention to maintaining catheter patency; infection prevention, including catheter hub care; routine site care; and use of a securement intervention. Patient education addressing site protection and identification of potential complications is essential.
4. CVAD Removal
CVADs can be safely removed in the home when risks such as air embolism and thrombotic clots are understood. This session addresses key procedural interventions for safe catheter removal.
More courses in this series
Introduction to Home Infusion Therapy
Lisa A. Gorski
Vascular Access Devices: Peripheral Catheters
Lisa A. Gorski
Vascular Access Devices: External Central Vascular Access Devices
Lisa A. Gorski
Vascular Access Devices: Implanted Vascular Access Ports
Lisa A. Gorski
Infusion Therapy: Complications
Lisa A. Gorski
Infusion Therapy Administration
Lisa A. Gorski
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