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Hi everyone, I’m Maria. I am the lead specialist nurse
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working here in Vascular Access Unit.
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It is my pleasure to welcome you to this film.
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The Vascular Access Unit is located on Level 4,
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at the Outpatient end of the hospital, above the Ultrasound department.
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You can take the lift or stairs from the X-ray department on Level 2
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or from the Ultrasound department on Level 3, to get to the Vascular Access Unit.
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You may be given an appointment from your specialist team looking after you,
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to attend the Vascular Access Unit for the line insertion procedure.
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This normally means you will be at your appointment
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for the whole morning or afternoon.
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The line you will have inserted could include a PICC line,
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Hickman line, Port-a-cath or Niagara line.
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The Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter,
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or PICC line for short,
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is a thin flexible tube that is placed into your upper arm above your elbow.
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It allows easier access for blood samples and infusions.
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This should make your treatment more comfortable,
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as your treating team will not require to use needles on you as often.
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The PICC line is placed under local anaesthetic,
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using an ultrasound machine.
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You can eat and drink normally before your PICC line insertion,
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and you do not need to stop your blood thinning medications.
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When in place, the line is held with a securement device and dressing.
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The dressing will require weekly changing
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and the line will need flushing to ensure it works correctly.
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Your medical team will arrange this with you.
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You can perform your normal activities with the line in place,
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however you should avoid swimming.
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It is also important that the dressing over your PICC stays clean, dry and unbroken.
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It should be covered with a waterproof sleeve when bathing or showering.
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The PICC line can stay in place for as long as you need it.
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Once no longer required,
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the line will be removed by your nurse, with no further follow-up from the Vascular Access team.
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A Hickman line is a soft hollow tube,
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inserted into a large blood vessel,
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through a small opening in your chest area.
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It is used for long-term access to your veins
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and can be used to give all your intravenous medications and blood sampling.
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This should make your treatment more comfortable,
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as your treating team will not be required
to insert cannulas at every appointment.
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If you would like to be sedated for the line insertion,
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you will need somebody to take you home after the procedure,
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and you will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours.
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You are allowed to have a light breakfast and can drink as normal prior to the line placement.
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You will also be required to have a blood test
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and stop taking your blood thinning medications before the line insertion procedure,
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which your medical team will advise you on.
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The Hickman line is held in place by a small cuff and dressing.
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The dressing will require weekly changing
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and the line will need flushing with saline to ensure it works correctly.
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Your medical team will arrange this for you.
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Once the line has been placed, it is important to keep it clean and dry.
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Please ensure you direct the shower away from the line when bathing or showering
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and that you avoid swimming with the line in place.
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The plastic clamps on the line must remain closed
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and you should avoid sharp objects or razors near your line.
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Your Hickman line can stay in place for as long as you need it.
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Once no longer needed, an appointment will be arranged for you
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to come back to the Vascular Access Unit to get it removed.
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A port-a-cath is made up of two parts.
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The first one is called the catheter, which is a thin hollow tube,
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attached to the second piece, called ‘the port’.
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The port is a small metal chamber, implanted underneath the skin in the chest area.
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When in place, you may therefore notice
a small bump under your skin.
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A special needle can be inserted through your skin and into the port, to enable your treatment.
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Most patients have their line inserted as a day case
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under local anaesthetic and intravenous sedation.
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If having sedation is your preferred option,
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you will need someone to take you home after the procedure,
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and you will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours.
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You can eat and drink as normal,
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however you should only have a light breakfast prior to your line insertion.
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You will also require blood to be taken
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and stop taking your blood thinning medications before the procedure,
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which your medical team will advise you on.
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A port-a-cath requires very minimal care and maintenance.
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Once the scars have healed, you can bath and swim and get the area wet.
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The port will need flushing once a month with saline
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and your specialist team will arrange this for you.
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The port-a-cath can stay in for a number of months and even years.
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Once the line is no longer needed, an appointment will be arranged for you
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to come back to the Vascular Access Unit to get it removed.
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A Niagara line, sometimes called a temporary central line,
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is a soft flexible tube placed in a blood vessel in your neck.
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It can be used to collect stem cells, give medications,
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blood products and take blood samples.
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It is placed under local anaesthetic, using an ultrasound machine,
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to make the procedure more comfortable for you.
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You can eat and drink normally before the Niagara line insertion.
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The line is held in place with stitches and covered with dressing,
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which should be kept as dry as possible.
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The plastic clamps on the line must remain closed
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and you should avoid any sharp objects or razors near your line.
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You will be given contact numbers to call if you experience any issues with you line.
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Your Niagara line will stay in your neck for a few days whilst you receive your treatment.
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After treatment, the line will be removed by the nurse looking after you.
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Your central line can sometimes become blocked or infected,
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so it is important to check the exit site every day
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for redness, discharge, swelling
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or other signs of infection, such as a raised temperature.
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Thank you for watching.
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If you have any further questions or concerns with regards to your central line,
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please contact your specialist team.
