Multiday Use of Non-Tunneled Central Venous Catheters in Vetted Adult Outpatients Undergoing Apheresis Collections of Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Is Feasible and Well Tolerated.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collections are routinely performed in the outpatient setting and typically involve placement of an apheresis-compatible central venous catheter (CVC). There is reluctance to discharge outpatients with non-tunneled CVCs due to safety concerns. We characterized our center's practice of multiday non-tunneled CVC use in vetted adult outpatients undergoing autologous PBSC collections. No patient with social, cognitive, hygienic, caregiver, or bleeding concerns had non-tunneled CVC placement. All patients and caregivers were counseled about potential risks of non-tunneled CVCs and were provided with basic CVC care education. In total, 117 autologous PBSC collections were performed in 65 adult outpatients via non-tunneled CVCs. Apheresis nursing staff removed CVCs from all patients on their final PBSC collection day. There was one minor CVC site bleed that was successfully controlled with manual compression. In our small population, multiday non-tunneled CVC use in vetted adult outpatients undergoing autologous PBSC collections was feasible and well tolerated.