EJ question.

[absolut]

Hi all,

Quick general question:

Do you guys consider the external jugular a central vein or a peripheral vein and why? I was looking online and am getting a lot of conflicting information, with some states' BON stating that it's a peripheral vein (with more risks involved in cannulation, but peripheral nonetheless) and others placing it in the central vein category. Hopefully someone has a more definitive answer, or at least a place to find it.

Thank you for any responses.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

Absolutely a PERIPHERAL line. (even per ACLS standards)

I have seen varying policies on their placement (who/why/how). I am comfortable and quite competent in their placement/monitoring so I have fewer issues than some nurses - but I think it depends on your background.

If there is not a specific policy I will generally only place with WRITTEN MD order unless it is a critical access and then I will place with VERBAL order and good documentation.

Practice SAFE!

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

There are two places to look.

1. The Board of Nursing for the state your practicing in. Suprise suprise each state is different in what they allow nurses to do.

2. You hosptial policies. Just because the BON states you can do something doesn't mean your hospital will let you.

[absolut]

Thanks for all the replies guys, it's been a big help.

[Larry77, RN]

This has also been a highly researched topic at our facility. In looking into the BON of Wash St there was no language addressing this issue (I was told, did not do the research myself) and there is no hospital policy addressing it either. Some of us RN's place EJ's when necessary but always clear it with the doc first (some of them like to do it themselves others won't even try). Out of all of us there is probably only 4-5 of us that will do EJ's.

I don't see any argument that could support an EJ being called a central line, peripheral all the way.