Care
A central venous catheter is a potential source of infection, so careful hygienic care is very important. The patient himself is not primarily responsible for this. He or she only has to make sure that the central venous catheter is not exposed to direct contamination.
The actual care is carried out by the treating physicians and the nursing staff. This includes a regular change of the plaster or bandage. In addition, contamination must be avoided every time the catheter is used (attaching an infusion, taking blood samples).
After each blood collection, the central catheter must be rinsed free again (for example with a saline solution). Careful maintenance of the central venous catheter minimizes the risk of infection.
