👶🏻 Central Line Access In The NICU 💉⠀⠀

🤔 What types of central lines do we use in the NICU? The most common are Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICC), Umbilical Arterial Lines (UAC) and Umbilical Venous Lines (UVC). ⠀

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🤗 Common uses for each, location they’re usually placed and how long they last: ⠀

➡️ PICC Lines - IV fluid nutrition and medications. Placed in the arm or leg. Can last for weeks/months (long term therapy). ⠀

➡️ UAC - Continuous blood pressure monitoring and lab draws. Placed in the umbilical artery. Usually only 7 days. ⠀

➡️ UVC - IV fluid nutrition and medications. Can be used for emergency resuscitation meds. Placed in the umbilical vein. Usually only 7 days. ⠀

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❓Why are central lines preferred over IVs? ⠀

Lasts longer especially for multiple IV drips and antibiotics. IVs have higher risk of infiltration. ⠀

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💉 Risks of central lines: infection, clots/thrombus, air embolism (less common). ⠀

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🤗 Always assess your lines and make sure it is in proper placement by checking the X-ray. Check the length that it is recorded at. Assess the dressing. Check perfusion to the extremities and assess your pulses.