For many patients receiving outpatient IV therapy, the central line is their lifeline. Whether it’s a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), a tunneled line (Hickman, Broviac), or an implanted port, proper maintenance of that line determines the success—and safety—of the entire treatment.
At Kariah Healthcare LLC, we understand the trust physicians place in us when they refer patients for outpatient infusion. Our clinical team upholds the highest standards in central line management, following evidence-based protocols that minimize complications and keep patients on therapy safely and comfortably.
Precision Line Care: The Foundation of Patient Safety
- Every infusion begins with line integrity and aseptic control. Our nurses perform.
- Routine dressing and cap changes using sterile technique and transparent, semipermeable dressings.
- Scrub-the-hub and access site disinfection per Infusion Nurses Society (INS) standards.
- Catheter flushing and patency checks according to the prescribed protocol and solution compatibility.
- Securement device assessment to prevent line migration or accidental dislodgement.
- We also document each step meticulously in the patient’s record to ensure traceability and quality assurance.
- Evidence-Based Protocols for Infection Prevention
Our infection prevention practices are guided by CDC and INS standards, incorporating the same central line bundles used in hospital ICUs. These include:
Hand hygiene before and after all catheter contact.
Chlorhexidine-based skin antisepsis.
Sterile gloves, masks, and drapes during dressing changes.
No-touch technique for all access points.
These measures, combined with the outpatient setting’s lower microbial exposure, contribute to significantly lower rates of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) compared to inpatient environments (csprx.com
).
- Education and Collaboration
Central line safety extends beyond the infusion chair. Our nurses provide patient and caregiver education on:
Keeping the dressing clean and dry.
Recognizing early signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, fever).
What to do if the line becomes occluded or dislodged.
When patients also receive home health visits, we coordinate care closely to ensure consistent technique and documentation across all settings.
Our team maintains open communication with referring providers and interventional radiology if a line requires replacement or imaging. We handle routine troubleshooting—such as sluggish flow, occlusions, or dislodgement—promptly and escalate when appropriate.
- Skilled and Certified Nursing Team
- Our infusion nurses are trained and credentialed in central line management and adhere to the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) Standards of Practice. Many of our clinicians are oncology-certified (OCN®️) and proficient in accessing and maintaining implanted ports used for chemotherapy or biologic therapies.
- We treat every access site as a critical component of therapy—because it is. Meticulous maintenance reduces interruptions in treatment, prevents infection, and preserves vascular access for future care.
- Why Providers Trust Kariah Healthcare
- When you refer a patient to our infusion center, you can be confident their vascular access is managed with hospital-level precision in a cleaner, lower-risk outpatient setting.
- Our structured line care program:
- Reduces CLABSI risk through standardized aseptic practices.
- Prevents treatment delays by addressing access issues early.
- Ensures provider oversight through detailed documentation and direct updates.
- Your patient’s safety is our shared priority—and that begins with protecting their line.
- To refer a patient for outpatient infusion or central line management:
Call (240) 852-9384 or visit www.kariahealth.com
- Kariah Healthcare LLC – Trusted Experts in Infusion and Line Care.
<
kariahhk
14 Nov 2025
All Comments