Technique

• Identify the device and confirm the order for its care, flushing, and dressing schedule before handling it.
• Inspect and palpate the site and, for ports, the pocket, for erythema, tenderness, swelling, drainage, and bleeding.
• Assess vascular patency by flushing per protocol and, where ordered, aspirating for a blood return; never force a flush against resistance.
• Verify securement and the external length or marking against the documented baseline to detect migration or partial dislodgement.
• Change the dressing using sterile, no-touch technique with the appropriate antiseptic and a dressing per protocol; label with the date.
• Measure and characterize drain output, or check enteral residuals and feeding tolerance per order.
• Trace all tubing from the patient to the source, checking connections, clamps, and caps and ruling out kinks and dependent loops.
• When manipulating a central line, position the patient and use technique that minimizes air-embolism risk, and clamp appropriately.