What is a recommended action after a blood draw from a central catheter?

Changing claves after each blood draw is a recommended practice because it helps to maintain the integrity of the catheter access and reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Claves, or needleless access devices, can be potential sites for bacterial colonization, especially after drawing blood, which can introduce pathogens into the bloodstream.

By replacing the claves after a blood draw, any bacteria that may have been introduced during the procedure are removed, thereby decreasing the likelihood of infection. This practice aligns with infection control guidelines that emphasize the importance of maintaining aseptic techniques and ensuring the safety of vascular access devices.

In contrast, leaving the claves unchanged could potentially contribute to the risk of contamination and subsequent infection. Changing them too infrequently, such as only every two days, would also not adequately safeguard against this risk. Additionally, not changing them at all would leave the system vulnerable to potential pathogens, thus undermining patient safety.