ALERT: How to secure uncuffed PICC lines to prevent accidental dislodgement or migration?

This QuickHit was informed by the need to address a recent backorder of 3 French (Fr) cuffed single lumen peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines.

Central Venous Access DevicesAdal BahlibiJanuary 20, 2025

ALERT: What do I need to know about new securement devices for central venous access devices?

This QuickHit was informed by a product change of securement devices for central venous access devices (CVAD) at SickKids. Due to backorders and limited supply availability, some children will be using Clik-FIX® in replacement of StatLock™ for CVAD securement devices.

All, Central Venous Access DevicesAdal BahlibiDecember 18, 2023

ALERT: How to prevent infection when performing central venous access device (CVAD) dressing changes?

This QuickHit was informed by Connected Care safety reports that have highlighted inconsistent practices when performing CVAD dressing changes in home and community.

All, Central Venous Access DevicesAdal BahlibiSeptember 21, 2023

HINT: How to secure a central venous access device (CVAD) to prevent accidental dislodgement?

This QuickHit was informed by family caregivers and home and community care providers who reported different practices for the securement of CVADs in home and community care, compared to the hospital

All, Central Venous Access DevicesAdal BahlibiNovember 30, 2021

HINT: How long do I need to scrub the hub of a central venous access device (CVAD) cap?

This QuickHit is informed by family caregivers who report observing that there is a difference in how long they scrub the hub of their child's CVAD cap (top and sides) and allow it to dry compared to their home care providers.

Central Venous Access Devices, AllAdal BahlibiMarch 25, 2021

ALERT: Why use single-use supplies when heparin locking a Central Venous Access Device (CVAD)?

This QuickHit! is informed by virtual visits where home care nurses have asked if the same normal saline syringe can be used to flush both lumens of a Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) when heparin locking.

Central Venous Access Devices, AllAdal BahlibiJanuary 22, 2021

ALERT: What is required to maintain patency of paediatric CVADs?

This week’s QuickHit! is informed by a safety report documented when a child returned to hospital and their parent reported that a home care nurse taught them to lock their child’s PICC line with normal saline instead of heparin.

Central Venous Access Devices, AllTomasz CzarnyMay 8, 2020

HINT: Do I need to wear gloves when giving medications via a CVAD?

This QuickHit! comes from a family caregiver who asked why we teach that they don’t need to wear gloves when giving medications via Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs) at home, but they see SickKids nurses doing it in hospital. The family caregiver also shared that their home care nurses sometimes do, and sometimes don’t wear gloves when performing this activity.

Central Venous Access Devices, AllTomasz CzarnyDecember 19, 2019

ALERT: Do I remove the cap when cleaning a central line?

At a recent Connected Care CVAD workshop, home care nurses told us that they were removing CVAD caps to access a CVL line for blood work and/or to heparin lock the line. They shared that they didn’t know that syringes (including saline flush and heparin lock syringes) attach directly to the cap.

Central Venous Access Devices, AllTomasz CzarnyAugust 30, 2019NG

HINT: What is included in a central line emergency kit?

At a recent Connected Care Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) workshop, home care nurses identified that they were unsure about what is included in an emergency CVAD kit and identified that some families do not have an emergency CVAD kit at home.

Central Venous Access Devices, AllTomasz CzarnyJuly 19, 2019CVAD

Connected Care Quick Hits

QUICK HITS ARE UP TO DATE AND EVIDENCE BASED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CARE OF CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL COMPLEXITY & TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENCE, FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME.