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COPD care at Home

Introduction to Central Line

Central Line is an Intravenous line (a delicate tube) infused in the vein to provide medicines or extract the blood from the patient or to provide any liquids to the patients It is generally embedded into the vein present in the neck or close to the heart or through the arm which is relatively larger in size. This is done while trying to ascertain the disease the patient is suffering from or while providing any therapy for curing the disease diagnosed thereof.

For example: If a catheter is used for a chest pain, then it is first inserted below the chest skin, embedded into the larger vein called Superior Vena Cava and ends at the line proximate to the nipple. During the surgery, the patient will have dissection on the chest, the entry point of the catheter in the vein and at the exit point when it ushers out of the skin in the chest.

The Central Line also known as Central Venous Catheter is of basically of 2 types –

Non-tunnelled Catheters – It is embedded in the beginning of the insertion.

Tunnelled Catheters – This is inserted at the end area of the process i.e the neck, chest etc as the case may be.

Central Line Care

 The following are the precautions to be taken while handling the Catheter:

  • The patient should avoid doing exercises that exerts pressure on his health.
  • The Central Venous Catheter should be handled carefully otherwise it might get stuck to one’s attire and any sharp objects, finally ending up with major complications.
  • The supplies should be maintained in a hygienic manner particularly in a dry place.
  • The line should be properly flushed and the clamp should be opened only when it is in use.
  • In case of any emergency, it is necessary for the patient to have a spare clamp.
  • There are high chances of infections so it is necessary to wash the hands at the required intervals and embed the bandage with a wrap to prevent it from getting wet while having a shower.
  • In case of any emergency like breathing problem, feeling dizzy, any acute pain in the chest , breakage or leakage of the CVC, high fever, skin getting swelled, any weird sensation in the skin etc then contact the nurse or the clinic for immediate action.

It is thus advisable to handle the Central Line with utmost care to avoid any complications and reap the benefits at the earliest.

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