CVADs: Post insertion maintenance (2 of 5)

Central venous access devices (often referred to as CVADs or central venous catheters, CVCs) are invasive devices used in hospital and community healthcare settings to deliver fluids, medication and parenteral nutrition, support frequent blood sampling and allow for the monitoring of central venous pressure.

This is the 2nd module in a 5-part course on CVADs. This module provides a step-by-step guide to caring for a CVAD once it has been inserted. It details confirmation of positioning, assessment, and port care.

It provides step-by-step guidance on accessing and de-accessing a CVAD, flushing, and locking a CVAD. It goes on to provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform a central venous pressure reading and how to take a blood sample from a CVAD.

This course is aimed at all nursing and midwifery practitioners who are involved in the care of people with a CVAD.

This course consists of 5 modules, and it is intended that participants complete the modules in order, moving from one to the next. The 5 modules are:

1. CVADs: Uses, types, selection, and complications (1 of 5)
2. CVADs: Post insertion maintenance (2 of 5)
3. CVADs: Dressing and needleless connector changes (3 of 5)
4. CVADs: Troubleshooting complications (4 of 5)
5. CVADs: Safe removal (5 of 5)