Tunneled Central Lines Child

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A tunneled central line is a type of catheter (kath-uh-ter). A catheter is a small flexible plastic tube. The catheter is put in and tunneled a short distance under your child's skin.Your child's doctor may put the catheter into a vein near your child's neck. A vein is a blood vessel that moves blood through your child's body.
  
  
• Where the catheter comes out of the skin, there may be up to 3 small tails (tubes) hanging out. These tails may have caps and clamps on them. With a central line, your child may have blood taken for tests and get IV medicines. Having a central line may keep your child from being stuck with a needle many times.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about central lines. You can then discuss choices with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what choices may be best for your child.

RISKS:

• There are always risks with any medical procedure. Your child may bleed or get an infection (in-fek-shun). Your child may have trouble breathing or get blood clots. Caregivers will watch your child closely for these problems. The end of the catheter may move or become damaged or blocked. If this happens, your child may need to have another catheter put in.
  
  
• The catheter may damage your child's arm. If IV fluid leaks out of the catheter into your child's body, your child could get an infection. Air could get into your child's blood through the catheter, or your child could get an irregular heartbeat. Rarely, your child's lung may collapse or the catheter can break apart. Your child may die. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions.

GETTING READY:

The Night Before the Procedure:

• Your child may need blood tests before the procedure. Talk to your child's caregiver about these or other tests he may need. Write down the date, time, and location for each test.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The Day of the Procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your child's procedure.
  
  
• Ask your child's caregiver before giving your child any medicine or food on the day of the procedure.
  
  
• You will be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your child's caregiver permission to put in the central line. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.

TREATMENT:

• Your child will be given medicine to make him sleep or sleepy. Your child may have to lie down with his head lower than his feet. This makes neck veins easier to see. Your child's caregiver will clean the area where the catheter will go with yellow soap. The soap will be cleaned off later. Towels will be put over the area.
  
  
• Your child's doctor will make a small incision (cut) through your child's skin. The catheter will be put into the incision and tunneled under your child's skin and into a vein.
  
  
• An x-ray may be taken to make sure the catheter is in the right place. The doctor may use stitches (thread) to sew the catheter to your child's skin. The stitches keep the catheter in the right place. Bandages will be put on to keep the area clean and dry.

Waiting Room: This room is where you and your family can wait until your child is ready for visitors after the procedure. Your child's caregiver can then find you to let you know how the procedure went. If you or your family leave the hospital, leave a phone number where you can be reached.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about having the catheter put in your child.

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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