Central Venous Access Device (CVAD): Blood Sampling for Laboratory Studies

Presented by Lisa A. Gorski and Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

Central Venous Access Device (CVAD): Blood Sampling for Laboratory Studies

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Video Runtime: 5 Minutes

Blood withdrawal from central venous access devices, or CVADs, for laboratory studies is a common practice in home health. Patients generally prefer blood withdrawal from CVADs over venipuncture to avoid the brief pain and discomfort associated with venipuncture. Risks of this procedure include bloodstream infection (BSI) due to catheter manipulation at the hub, loss of catheter patency (occlusion), and erroneous laboratory values. Attention to Aseptic Non Touch Technique, or ANTT, and adequacy of flushing and locking will reduce risks of infection/occlusion.

In this training, we’ll review the equipment and procedures for CVAD blood sampling for laboratory studies. This course includes

- Video demonstrations of procedures
- Downloadable procedure guide PDFs
- Tips and best practices for performing these procedures in the home

This course was reviewed by Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, to ensure the content meets current professional guidelines and best evidence-based practices.

Meet your instructors

Lisa A. Gorski

Lisa A. Gorski has worked for 40 years as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and educator for Wheaton Franciscan Home Health & Hospice, now part of Ascension at Home, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a CNS, she has played a key role in the home infusion therapy program, contributing to clinician education, policy and procedure…

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Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

The MedBridge Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board ensures the development and maintenance of up-to-date and evidence-based clinical procedures. The review board is composed of leading nurse experts in the field: Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, and Margherita Labson, RN, BSN, MSHSA. The review board is involved in…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Introduction

1. Introduction

This chapter includes an introduction to central venous access device blood sampling, information on all of the equipment needed for patients undergoing blood sampling for laboratory study, and recommended infection control policies.

Procedure: Blood Sampling for Laboratory Studies

2. Procedure: Blood Sampling for Laboratory Studies

This chapter will provide a step-by-step procedure guide and video demonstration of blood sampling.

Tips and Precautions

3. Tips and Precautions

This chapter provides tips and considerations for performing these skills in the home. It also covers related procedures.

Documentation Guidelines

4. Documentation Guidelines

This chapter provides recommendations on what to note when documenting for patients receiving CVAD care.

Conclusion

5. Conclusion

This chapter includes learning assessment questions to assess the learner's knowledge of skills covered in this course. A bibliography of referenced material is also included.