Thinking about removing an external central line
Should your external central line come out now, or stay in for now?
Your care team considers whether removing the line is medically reasonable. This page shows what may change if the line comes out or stays in. Next, you'll think about what matters most to you.
Patients, caregivers, and families thinking about removing a Hickman, Broviac, or PICC.
Learn what may change if the line comes out or stays in, then think about what matters most to you.
Whether the line is still needed and whether removing it is medically reasonable.
Your care team brings medical knowledge. You bring your experience, goals, and concerns. Together, you decide which option fits best.
This tool supports the conversation. It does not replace medical advice from your care team.
Is the line still needed?
Before the line can come out, your care team considers:
- Treatment: IV medicines, fluids, nutrition, blood, or platelets
- Monitoring: Frequent blood draws
- Looking ahead: Your recovery and whether more treatment may be needed
- Access later: How difficult it would be to place another IV or central line
- Other access: Whether a port or another type of IV access will remain You may not know all of this. That is okay. These are useful questions to discuss with your care team.
What may change?
Compare the two paths. You will use these ideas in the next section to think about what matters most to you.
- Less line care: No more flushing, dressing changes, supplies, or protecting the line
- More freedom: Bathing and swimming may be easier after the site heals and your care team says it is safe
- Different access may be needed: Blood tests or IV medicines may require needle sticks, another IV, or use of a port if you have one
- Risk from this line ends: The ongoing risk of infection or blood clot related to this line ends
- May feel like progress
- Line care continues: Flushing, dressing changes, supplies, and protection are still needed
- Some limits continue: Bathing and swimming may remain restricted
- This line remains available: This line can be used for blood tests, medicines, fluids, nutrition, blood, or platelets
- Risk from this line continues: Infection or blood clot related to this line remains possible
- May feel reassuring