Troubleshooting Central Line Issues

Troubleshooting Central Line Issues

What To Do If…

My Child’s Central Line Won’t Flush

**DO NOT flush if you meet resistance. This can cause the line to break or a blood clot to move into your child’s body**

1. Check to see if clamp is closed or tubing is twisted or kinked.
2. If there are no kinks and clamp is not closed, change the needleless access device (cap/clave) and try again.
3. Call your child’s doctor if you are still not able to flush the line EASILY.

My Child’s Central Line Pulls Out (partially or completely)

1. Apply pressure with a sterile gauze/clean material to the site to stop bleeding.
2. Have your child sit upright.
3. Call your doctor/ go to the emergency room immediately.
4. Place any part of your child’s central line that has come out in a container and bring it to the hospital with you.

Fluid is Leaking from my Child’s Central Line

Leaking from the line itself

1. Clamp the catheter (line) between your child and the site of the leak.
2. Cover the break with a sterile gauze and tape.
3. Call the doctor/ go to the emergency room immediately.
    

Leaking from my child’s skin around where the central line goes into his/her body

1. Stop using the central line.
2. Change your child’s central line dressing if it is wet underneath.
3. Call the doctor/go to the emergency room.

When to Call the Doctor (Go to nearest ED after hours):

• Any fever over 100.5 F
• Pus-like drainage from central line site
• Redness, swelling, warmth, discomfort around the site
• Any concern that the line has been pulled/removed
• Any concern that the line has been broken
• If you are not able to flush the line easily