Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs) are medical devices which are placed in a large vein. They are usually sited in the neck, upper chest or arm. CVADs are used to provide access to give medication and treatment to patients, either in hospital or sometimes at home. Because these devices break the integrity of the skin, there is a risk that an infection may enter the blood stream.

It has been nationally recognised that standardised procedures and equipment, along with staff training in insertion and maintenance minimises the risk of infections and other complications related to these devices. The procedures outlined in the Department of Health’s Saving Lives document (www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk) have been adopted across the Trust, with positive results. 

Working within the   Acute Care Team are seven Clinical Support workers who provide a Midline and cannulation service, and a Vascular Access Clinical Nurse Specialist who provides a Midline and PICC service, and a  weekly Consultant led clinic for tunnelled line insertion.  We aim to facilitate appropriate and timely treatment to be commenced, and ongoing support and advice. 

1. CVAD Careplan
2. Changing a PICC Dressing story board
3. Measuring a PICC
4. CVAD Training and Resource Pack
5. Application and order details  of IV 3000 Peripheral Dressing
6. Application and order details of IV 3000 Central Line Dressing
7. Guideline for unblocking a midline venous catheter
8. Guidelines for managing patency problems with PICCs
9. Grip-lok

Information For Patients

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)

Tunnelled Catheter

Information for staff
To locate all training and assessment documents, please follow this link (only available from Trust PCs)

1. Central Venous Catheter Care Guidelines for staff

Copies of the CVAD assessment documents are also available at the back of the IV Drugs Policy.This should be available in all areas.