Central venous access device: Clinical practice guide
This clinical practice guide can support NSW local health districts (LHDs) and hospitals to develop local procedures for the care of patients with a central venous access device (CVAD).
A CVAD is used to deliver fluids, medication and nutrition to patients.
While insertion of a CVAD is a common procedure, it can also have significant risks. There are risks with insertion and removal of a CVAD, as well as risks associated with having a CVAD in place for a period of time. These risks include:
- infection
- malposition
- thrombosis
- vascular injury
- air embolus.
The guide provides recommendations for evidence-based clinical practice that can improve patient outcomes.
At a glance
The clinical practice guide covers recommendations for:
- pre-insertion
- insertion
- post-insertion
- removal.
Background
This is an update to the Clinical practice guideline: Central venous access device post insertion management, published in 2014.
The updated guide has been reviewed by a working group, including expert medical, nursing and allied health representatives from LHDs across NSW.
Published October 2021. Next review 2026.
Resources
- Central venous access device – Post insertion management guideline
- Audit tool
- Central venous access device: post insertion management [poster]
- Clinical Focus Report - Central Venous Access Devices and Air Embolism. Clinical Excellence Commission
Vascular air embolism
- Vascular air embolism [presentation]
- Vascular air embolism presentation handout
- Vascular air embolism presentation speaker notes
- Poster - A collaborative approach to reducing incidence of vascular air embolus and central venous access devices in
- Air embolism related to central venous access devices. Nepean.
- Reducing the risk of vascular air embolism [poster]
CVAD management
Removal of CVAD
Scrub the hub
Vascular air embolism
Disclaimer
The information on this page is general in nature and cannot reflect individual patient variation. It reflects Australian intensive care practice, which may differ from that in other countries. It is intended as a supplement to the more specific information provided by the doctors and nurses caring for your loved one. ICNSW attests to the accuracy of the information contained here but takes no responsibility for how it may apply to an individual patient. Please refer to the full disclaimer.
Intensive Care Service Model