Tunneled Central Lines Adult

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• A tunneled central line is also called a catheter (kath-uh-ter). A catheter is a small flexible plastic tube. The catheter is put in through and then tunneled under your skin a short distance. Your doctor may put the catheter into a vein near your neck. It then enters a large vein by your heart. A vein is a tube inside you that carries blood from your body to your heart. The other end of the catheter usually exits the skin on your chest below the collarbone.
  
  
• You may have 1 to 3 small tails (tubes) hanging out from where the catheter was put in. These tails may have caps and clamps on them. With a central line, you may have blood taken for tests, and get IV fluids quickly and easily. Having a central line may keep you from being stuck with a needle many times.

Why do I need a tunneled central line? Tunneled central lines are used for long term medicines and treatments, and may stay in for several months or years. They are often put in if you have to give IV medicines to yourself at home. You may need a central line because caregivers cannot use smaller veins in your body. In an emergency, medicine may work faster when given through a central line. The following are medicines and treatments you may get through a tunneled central line:

• Blood.
  
  
• Chemotherapy (kee-mo-thair-uh-p). This is medicine to treat cancer.
  
  
• Frequent blood sample collection.
  
  
• Total Parenteral (pair-en-ter-uhl) Nutrition: This is also called TPN. TPN is a special liquid food that goes directly into your vein.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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