Assessing a Central Line

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An important part of caring for a line at home is to routinely look at it throughout the day to make sure it is clean, dry, and intact:

Clean: The dressing and area should be clean without visible dirt. If an antiseptic disk is present, it should not be swollen or have visible blood. If the area is actively bleeding, you should seek medical attention. If the dressing is soiled or the area under the dressing is not clean, the dressing will need to be changed. Always keep the end of the line out of the diaper area.

Dry: The dressing should be dry, as moisture is a potential source for infection. Your child’s line tubing, cap, and dressing should always be protected from getting wet, including during bathing. Your healthcare providers can teach you ways to keep your line dry:

• Wrap the dressing and line during baths or showers using a protective wrap like AquaGuard or Saran Wrap.
• Do not swim or let the tubing go underwater if you have an external line.

Intact: The dressing must remain completely sealed.
If the dressing is not sealed, it will need to be changed. If you notice only the edges of the dressing are curling, you may reinforce the outer edges with tape.

• There may be stitches around the line to hold it in place. These should only be removed by your healthcare provider.
• Between infusions, clamp the line (if present), and cover the end with a protective cap.

Review Date: 2/2026