Central lines are used in many different treatments to make it easy for patients to receive medicine, fluids, blood, or nutrition. Central lines, or central venous catheters, are similar to an IV, but for longer term use.
Service in
Central Line Care
Service in
Central Line Care
Our approach
Caring for your central line can be overwhelming. There are many different types of central lines, and the care can vary depending on the line. Below you will find links to information about the different types of central lines and their care, as well as videos which explain how to safely care for your central line at home.
Please note: The videos on this page only cover the types of central lines placed at M Health Fairview or Fairview Health Services Locations.
Central Venous Catheters - Placed in the Chest
Tunneled central venous catheters (CVC) are thin, flexible tubes (catheters) placed in a large vein. They deliver fluids and medicine into the vein and make it easy to get blood samples. The catheter enters through the chest wall and tunnels under the skin to a large vein near your heart. An anchoring cuff holds the catheter in place. A tunneled catheter can have more than one line and have clamps. Different companies make them, so they may look different than the one shown here, which is a Bard Power Hickman. CVC's are flushed with heparin or citrate to keep them from clotting, unless your care team says otherwise.
Your Central Venous Catheter
About Your Central Venous Catheter - Adults
About Your Central Venous Catheter - Children
Caring for Your Central Venous Catheter at Home: For Both Tunneled and Non-Tunn…
Changing the End Cap
Flushing the Line with Heparin, Saline or Citrate
Changing Your Bandage
Handwashing and Skin Care
Valved PICC Lines - Placed Inside Arm
Valved peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are thin, flexible tubes (catheters) placed in a large vein. They deliver fluids and medicine into the vein and make it easy to get blood samples. The catheter enters a large vein at or above the bend of your elbow, and is threaded through the vein until the tip reaches another large vein in your chest. Valved PICCs may have more than one line and do not have clamps. Different companies make them, so they may look different than the one shown here, which is a Bard Power PICC Solo. Valved PICCs are flushed with normal saline to keep them from clotting, unless your care team says otherwise.
Non-Valved PICC Lines (Placed Inside Arm)
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are thin, flexible tubes (catheters) placed in a large vein. They deliver fluids and medicine into the vein and make it easy to get blood samples. The catheter enters a large vein at or above the bend of your elbow, and is threaded through the vein until the tip reaches another large vein in your chest. PICCs may have more than one line and have clamps. Different companies make them, so they may look different than the one shown here, which is a Bard Power PICC. PICCs are flushed with heparin or citrate to keep them from clotting, unless your care team says otherwise.
Providers for Central Line Care
View All ProvidersLocations for Central Line Care
- M Health Fairview Clinic - Eagan
- M Health Fairview Clinic - Andover
- M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Minneapolis
- M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Maple Grove
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Minneapolis
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Minneapolis
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Maple Grove
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Maple Grove