If a patient in an ICU has a temporary (Quinton) or tunneled (ASHE) hemodialysis catheter, is that device counted as a central line in the central line-days? 5/20/2005
If a line meets the definition, then it is a central line and should be counted. The only exception to this would be an implanted device that is not used. In this situation, the line would only be counted beginning on the first day it is accessed (e.g., physician orders that the port-a-cath be flushed). Then it would be counted every day thereafter.