Registered Nurses´ Association of Ontario
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Overview of Vascular Access Devices
- Peripheral – Short
- Peripheral – Midline
- Central – Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
- Central – Tunneled Central Venous Catheter
- Central – Percutaneous Non-Tunneled Catheter
- Central – Implanted Port
- Subcutaneous Infusions (Hypodermoclysis)
1. Peripheral – Short
Device Description:
Catheter, less than 3 inches (7.5 cm)
in length; over-the-needle catheter is most
common. Inserted by percutaneous
venipuncture, generally into a hand orarm vein (Halderman, 2000).
Peripheral catheters should be used for anticipated IV
therapy not greater than 6 days, infusions which are
iso-osmotic or near iso-osmotic and whose pH value
is between 5 – 9.
Central access is recommended for vesicant drugs.
- Repeated venipunctures may be needed to maintain
IV access.
- Infiltration, phlebitis or catheter obstruction can
interrupt therapy.
- Dwell time and types of medications that can be given
are limited.
(Halderman, 2000)
Gauge and Length of Device
- The vasculature shall accommodate the gauge and length (INS, 2000).
- Select the smallest gauge and shortest length (Camp-Sorrell, 1996; CDC, 2002: INS, 2000; Markel Poole, 1999).
Length of Dwell
- Three days has been established as the maximum length of time to use peripheral intravascular lines.
- Health Canada retains 3 days as the upper limit for peripheral sites in all settings (Health Canada, 1997).
- Peripheral veins are prone to phlebitis and subcutaneous perivenous infiltration, and the catheter should not stay in one site longer than 48 – 72 hours (Vanek, 2002a).
- Rotate sites q72 – 96 hours to reduce risk for infection and phlebitis (CDC, 2002).
Length of Therapy
- Steel or plastic cannula may be left in place for up to 72 hours (Health Canada, 1997).
- Use a midline catheter or PICC when the duration of therapy will likely exceed 6 days (CDC, 2002).
- Devices used for short term use (Markel Poole, 1999); Short term therapy – contraindicated for therapy longer than approximately 5 days (Vanek, 2002a).
2. Peripheral – Midline
Device Description:
Between 3 – 8 inches (7.5 – 20 cm) long; inserted within 1.5 inches (3.75 cm) above or below the antecubital fossa. Catheter tip ends in the peripheral vasculature below the axilla (Halderman, 2000).
Midline catheters should be considered for IV therapy
where more than 3 IV catheters may be needed,
infusions which are iso-osmotic or near iso-osmotic
and whose pH value is between 5 – 9.
Central access is recommended for vesicant drugs.
- Maintains IV access without repeated venipunctures.
- Requires a large diameter vein such as the basilic vein.
- Upper arm contractures, injury or other vascular or
musculoskeletal conditions may prevent successful
insertion. - Types of medications that can be infused are limited.
(Halderman, 2000)
Length of Therapy
- Use a midline catheter or PICC when the duration of IV therapy will likely exceed 6 days (CDC, 2002).
- For therapy of more than 5 days, to preserve the integrity of the veins and increase client comfort (Camp-Sorrell, 1996).
- Fluids and medications close to normal serum osmolality and pH to prevent vein wall irritation.
- Not recommended for the infusion of parenteral nutrition solutions, vesicants or other irritant medication (Orr & Ryder, 1993).
- Medium term (Markel Poole, 1999); short term 3 days to 6-8 weeks (Vanek, 2002a); intermediate dwell (Lawson, 2003); mean anticipated length of therapy = 13 days (King, 1995).
3. Central – Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
Device Description:
A single or double lumen central venous
catheter inserted via a peripheral vein – the tip
terminates in the superior vena cava (SVC)
(Halderman, 2000).
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PICCs are recommended for all infusion therapies. If anticipated therapy exceeds more than one year, a tunneled catheter or implanted port should be considered.
- May be inserted at the bedside or in radiology under fluoroscopy.
- Use of maximum sterile barrier during insertion (CDC, 2002; EPIC, 2001c).
- Low rate of infection.
- Upper arm contractures, injury or other vascular or musculoskeletal conditions may prevent successful insertion (Halderman, 2000).
- Radiographic confirmation of tip location is required prior to use.
Length of Therapy
- Duration of IV therapy will likely exceed 6 days – use for clients requiring frequent or continuous access.
- Several weeks or months (EPIC, 2001c; Winslow et al., 1995); medium term (Markel Poole, 1999).
- Intermediate to long term access in general, or the need for central vascular access (Vanek, 2002a).
- Specific diagnoses that are often associated with prolonged needs for reliable access (Bowen Santolucito, 2001).
- IV access greater than 10 – 14 days (Ryder, 1995).
- For therapy lasting more than 6 days to preserve the integrity of veins and increase comfort (CDC, 2002; Camp-Sorrell, 1996).
Tip Position
- Tip dwelling in the superior vena cava (INS, 2000).
- If the catheter tip is located outside of the vena cava, the catheter is no longer considered a central catheter and should be removed as the tip location may no longer be appropriate for the prescribed therapy (INS, 2000).
Other considerations
- Client selection criteria – infusion of vesicant or irritating drugs; hyperosmolar solutions, client preference, client location (home setting) (Camp-Sorrell, 1996);
- Consider the use of PICCs as an alternative to subclavian or jugular vein catheterization (EPIC, 2001c).
4. Central – Tunneled Central Venous Catheter
Device Description:
Single, double or triple lumen device, surgically tunneled through subcutaneous tissue to an exit site generally on the chest or abdominal wall. The tip rests in the vena cava. A cuff that lies in the subcutaneous tunnel, around which fibrous tissue grows, helps to secure the device. (Halderman, 2000).
- Requires surgical placement.
- Cuff secures catheter in place, and prevents bacteria from migrating into the bloodstream (Halderman, 2000).
- Use optimum aseptic technique, including a sterile gown, gloves, and a large sterile drape for the insertion of central venous catheters (CDC, 2002; EPIC, 2001c).
Length of Therapy
- Frequent or continuous access (CDC, 2002)
- Use a tunneled catheter or an implantable vascular access device for clients in whom long-term (>30 days) vascular access is anticipated (EPIC, 2001c)
- Tunneled catheters or totally implanted devices as appropriate for the intended purpose should be used for clients requiring long-term vascular access.
- Greater than 6 months (Winslow et al., 1995); long term (Markel-Poole, 1995),
5. Central – Percutaneous Non-Tunneled Catheter
Device Description:
catheter, often with multiple lumens, inserted percutaneously through the subclavian, jugular, or femoral vein (Halderman, 2000).
Recommended for short-term access to the central circulation in critical situations, or when peripheral access is inadequate or inappropriate.
Not generally recommended for home care, but client circumstances and care requirements should be considered on an individual basis.
- Use optimum aseptic technique, including a sterile gown, gloves, and a large sterile drape for the insertion of central venous catheters (CDC, 2002; EPIC, 2001c).
Length of Therapy
- Short-term continuous therapy (5 – 10 days) (Camp-Sorrell, 1996). Tip Position
- If the catheter tip is located outside the vena cava, the catheter is no longer considered a central catheter and should be removed as the tip location may no longer be appropriate for the prescribed therapy (INS, 2000).
- Tip dwelling in the superior vena cava (INS, 2000).
6. Central – Implanted Port
Device Description:
An implanted reservoir generally placed in the chest or arm, attached to a catheter with tip position in the central vasulature. Infusate is delivered to the reservoir via an external non-coring needle and extension tubing (Halderman, 2000).
- Requires a minor surgical procedure for placement and removal.
- When not in use, requires less maintenance than other VADs.
- May preserve a client’s body image.
- Medication delivery requires injection through skin (Halderman, 2000).
- Use optimum aseptic technique, including a sterile gown, gloves, and a large sterile drape for the insertion of central venous catheters (CDC, 2002; EPIC, 2001c)
Length of Therapy
- Use smallest gauge needle and appropriate length to access – change every 7 days (INS, 2000). Needles should be changed frequently enough to prevent skin breakdown. This should be at least every 7 days (Health Canada, 1997).
- Use a tunneled catheter or an implanted vascular access device for clients in whom long-term (30 days) vascular access is anticipated (EPIC, 2001c).
- Long-term, intermittent therapy (CDC, 2002).
- Cuffed tunneled catheters or totally implanted devices as appropriate for the intended purpose should be used for clients requiring long-term vascular access (Health Canada, 1997).
7. Subcutaneous Infusions (Hypodermoclysis)
a) intermittent
b) continuous
Device Description:
A fine gauge device developed specifically for the s/c route, placed in the subcutaneous tissue of the upper arm, chest wall, upper back, abdomen, thigh etc. as an alternative to vascular access, where appropriate.
- Can be used for continuous or intermittent infusions of isotonic fluids and selected medications (e.g., s/c opioid infusion) (INS, 2000).
- Hypodermocysis fluid administration is appropriate as a short-term measure to restore or to maintain hydration in clients who are mildly dehydrated or who are at risk of dehydration.
- Subcutaneous infusions are as effective as intravenous infusions in restoring and maintaining hydration and are less likely than intravenous infusions to produce fluid overload (O’Keeffe & Geoghegan, 2000).
- In using as an alternative to infusion therapy, lower risk of complications.
Length of Therapy
- Rotate sites every 3-7 days, as necessary. Smallest, shortest gauge (INS, 2000)
