• Sterile technique should always be strictly adhered to.
• Clinically recognized infection at a catheter exit site should be
treated promptly with the appropriate antibiotic therapy.
• If a fever occurs in a patient with a catheter in place, take a
minimum of two blood cultures from a site distant from catheter
exit site. If blood culture is positive, the catheter must be removed
immediately and the appropriate antibiotic therapy initiated. Wait
48 hours before catheter replacement. Insertion should be made on
opposite side of original catheter exit site, if possible.
CATHETER REMOVAL
Warning: Only a physician familiar with the appropriate techniques
should attempt the following procedures.
Caution: Always review hospital or unit protocol, potential complications
and their treatment, warnings, and precautions prior to catheter
removal.
1. Palpate the catheter exit tunnel to locate the cuff.
2. Administer sufcient local anesthetic to exit site and cuff location to
completely anesthetize the area.
3. Cut sutures from suture wing. Follow hospital protocol for removal
of skin sutures.
4. Make a 2cm incision over the cuff, parallel to the catheter.
5. Dissect down to the cuff using blunt and sharp dissection as
indicated.
6. When visible, grasp cuff with clamp.
7. Clamp catheter between the cuff and the insertion site.
8. Cut catheter between cuff and exit site. Withdraw internal portion of
catheter through the incision in the tunnel.
9. Remove remaining section of catheter (i.e. portion in tunnel) through
the exit site.
Warning: Do NOT pull distal end of catheter through incision as
contamination of wound may occur.
10. Apply pressure to proximal tunnel for approximately 10-15 minutes
or until bleeding stops.
11. Suture incision and apply dressing in a manner to promote optimal
healing.
12. Check catheter for integrity when removed.
Flow Rate (ml/min)
14F x 28cm
200 300 350 400
Pressure
(mmHg)
Venous
31 62 83 104
Arterial
-38 -39 -75 -110
Flow Rate (ml/min)
16F x 28cm
200 300 350 400
Pressure
(mmHg)
Venous
28 50 64 77
Arterial
-27 -44 -57 -70.7
FLOW RATE TESTING REPRESENTS OPTIMUM
LABORATORY CONDITIONS.
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