Central lines inserted by clinical nurse specialists

Historically, central venous tunnelled lines have been inserted by senior medical officers, usually in the operating theatre under general anaesthetic. This method of line placement is applied to patients requiring lines for total parenteral nutrition (TPN), chemotherapy and long-term antibiotic therapy. Since February, 1991, following extensive training, a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) has taken on this role and has expanded the service to include a central line insertion service (LIS) throughout the Oxfordshire district.