Venous Access

Venous access involves the implantation of a device so that medication can be delivered directly into the large vein. This procedure is used to protect the veins from the stress of repeated punctures if you need regular injections of medicine over a long period of time. For example, some cancer patients receive venous access devices to receive chemotherapy drugs. Physicians also use venous access devices to supply fluids, draw blood, and give blood transfusions. Another type of venous access is called dialysis access. Dialysis access devices help patients who have kidney problems receive hemodialysis to filter their blood as their kidneys would normally filter it if they were healthy.

There are several different kinds of venous access devices.

• Short-term peripheral catheters, such as IVs
• Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), which are inserted in the arm to remain for an extended period
• Tunneled catheters, placed directly into a large vein in the center of your body (called your vena cava) through a tunnel in your chest, to be left in place for several months
• Subcutaneous vascular access devices, or SVADs, which are small, round devices that are inserted under the skin of your chest and can be left in place indefinitely.

Learn more about Venous Access.    »  Go

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).