title: Obtaining access in patients with indwelling vascular access devices.
abstract: Chronic indwelling catheters are used increasingly for outpatient and inpatient therapy. Because more patients care for indwelling devices at home, indwelling lines are available to emergency department staff to draw blood and administer medications, blood products, and intravenous fluids. This article discusses the indications, complications, and methods of accessing chronic indwelling venous catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans