If a patient is admitted to the ICU with a central line in place, is it counted in the central line-days? 5/20/2005
It must first be determined if it meets the definition of a central line. If it meets the definition and it is accessed, then it is counted (e.g., a patient is admitted with a central line that is not being used; the physician comes in on day three and flushes the line; the day of the flush is considered the first central line day).