Home Skills

Central Lines Home Skills Program

The Central Lines Home Skills Kit supports patients with materials to practice the skills needed for management of their central lines.

You are an important member of the surgical team. We want to help prepare you and your family for full participation and the best recovery. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Central Lines Home Skills booklet was developed by members of your surgical team. This program will walk you through understanding your central line (CVAD), skills to manage your central line, problem solving, and home management tips as well as other resources.

Central Lines Skills: Introduction and Welcome

September 19, 2016

You are an important member of the surgical team. We want to help prepare you and your family for full participation and the best recovery. The American College of Surgeons Central Lines Home skills booklet was developed by members of your surgical team. This program will walk you through: understanding your central line (CVAD), skills to manage your central line, problem solving, home management tips, as well as other resources. This program was created by the ACS in collaboration with the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), Infusion Nurses Society (INS), The Oley Foundation, Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS), and Visiting Nurses Association of America (VNAA).

Central Lines Skills: Introduction and Welcome

Central Lines Skills: Introduction and Welcome

Central Lines Skills: What is a CVAD

Central Lines Skills: What is a CVAD

Central Lines Skills: Types of CVAD

Central Lines Skills: Types of CVAD

Central Lines Skills: CVAD Insertion

Central Lines Skills: CVAD Insertion

Central Lines Skills: CVAD Equipment

Central Lines Skills: CVAD Equipment

Central Lines Skills: Flushing the Line

Central Lines Skills: Flushing the Line

Central Lines Skills: Giving Medication

Central Lines Skills: Giving Medication

Central Lines Skills: Needleless Connector Change

Central Lines Skills: Needleless Connector Change

Central Lines Skills: Changing the Dressing

Central Lines Skills: Changing the Dressing

Central Lines Skills: Giving Parenteral Nutrition

Central Lines Skills: Giving Parenteral Nutrition

Central Lines Skills: Problem Solving and Emergencies

Central Lines Skills: Problem Solving and Emergencies

Central Lines Skills: Knowledge Review

Central Lines Skills: Knowledge Review

Central Lines Skills: Conclusion

Central Lines Skills: Conclusion

About Your Central Line

Understanding Your CVAD

What is a CVAD?; Who needs a CVAD?; Understanding Your Circulatory System; Common Types of CVAD’s; CVAD Insertion; CVAD Equipment

Understanding Your CVAD

Problem Solving

Blockage of the CVAD; Blood Clot; Infection; Catheter Tip Movement or Accidental Removal; Catheter Breaks; Air in the Line

Problem Solving

Home Management and Other Resources

Bathing; Activity and Exercise; Returning to Work; Traveling; Dressing; Antibiotics and Dental Procedures

Home Management and Other Resources

Skill to Manage Your CVAD

Flushing the Line

Administering CVAD Medication

Changing the Needleless Connector

Changing the Dressing

Giving Parenteral Nutrition through CVAD

Implanted Port: Accessing and Removing the Noncoring Needle

ACS Patient Tools

Printable Discharge Plan Worksheet

Check Your Knowledge

Online Course for Patients

CVAD Home Skills Kit

Surgical Cancer Patient Education

Organizations with Additional Resources

American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association (APSNA)

American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)
Guidelines for parenteral and enteral nutrition therapy and home nutrition support

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)

Infusion Nurses Society (INS)

The Oley Foundation
Tools, support, and online resources for professionals and families

Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS)

Visiting Nurses Association of America (VNAA)

Program Credits

ACS Central Lines Task Force

Program References

Broadcast Rights

Order Central Lines Products

Medical Disclaimer