Central Line
This article defines Central Lines to make sure we use the same definition in
and by the following for venous lines
CL means Central Line
A CL is a vascular access catheter that passes through or has a tip ending at or close to the heart or in one of the great vessels.
Great vessels include:
- aorta
- pulmonary artery
- superior vena cava
- inferior vena cava
- brachiocephalic veins
- internal jugular veins
- subclavian veins
- external iliac veins
- common iliac veins
- femoral veins
Central Lines include:
- subclavian vein catheter
- internal jugular vein catheter
- PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)
- Swan-Ganz (pulmonary artery) catheter
- Brovic
- Groshong
- Hickman
- Dialysis catheter
- introducer for temporary pacing wire
Not counted as Central Lines:
- arterial catheters inserted into an artery
- ECMO
- IABP
- VAD
- IMPELLA
Code peripheral PICC lines
Kendiss Olafson confirmed that PICC lines that are noted on x-ray to be peripheral are still to be coded in our TISS as a central line. They still carry the same implications for nursing workload and have the same risk for infection, so for purposes of TISS and CL-BSI counting, these PICCs should be treated as central.--Michelle Lagadi--2015 September 16.