title: What are those tubes for? What you need to know about central venous access devices.
abstract: Prehospital providers who are trained to access and utilize existing CVADs, including Groshong, Hickman, Broviac, PICC lines and implanted ports, will be able to establish rapid i.v.s. The CVADs, which should be used in critical scenarios like shock, cardiac arrest and critical medical conditions, will allow EMS to administer medications and fluids to patients in whom i.v. access may otherwise be impossible. Providers should review with their medical directors the feasibility and practical application of using these devices, ensuring they have the correct training and equipment to use these potentially lifesaving devices.
authors.affiliation: Portland Fire Department, ME, USA. pfd225@roadrunner.com
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Minkler
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D004358:Drug Therapy; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations