Patent ID: 8439873

Claim:
A method of monitoring initial placement of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter in a patient's superior vena cava for periodically safely dispensing fluids over an extended time period wherein the central venous catheter includes a catheter about thirty-five cm to about fifty-five cm in length with distance marks at measured intervals extending towards a distal end, an anchor wing system securely attached to a proximal end of the catheter and at least one extension leg having an accessible proximal terminus and a distal terminus securely attached to the anchor wing system and in fluid communication with the catheter, said method comprising the steps of: a. selecting an entry site on the patient in close proximity to a basilic vein; b. estimating a total length of catheter needed to extend from a point of attachment to the anchor wing system to a lower one-third of the superior vena cava of the patient and wherein the total length of catheter needed comprises an initial external length which extends from the point of attachment to the anchor wing system to an entry point on the patient and an initial internal length which extends from the entry point on the patient to the lower one-third of the superior vena cava of the patient; c. optionally cutting the catheter of the central venous catheter to the total length estimated needed; d. inserting the catheter of the central venous catheter through the entry point on the patient so that a tip of the catheter extends to the lower one-third of the patient's superior vena cava; e. confirming the position of the catheter's tip within the patient's superior vena cava; f. attaching the anchor wing system to the patient; g. determining the initial external length of catheter extending from the anchor wing system to the point it enters the patient; h. marking a position indicator with the initial external length of the catheter and, optionally, the initial internal length of the catheter; i. attaching the position indicator onto an external portion of the central venous catheter; and j. periodically comparing a subsequent external length of catheter extending from the anchor wing system to the point it enters the patient with the initial external length marked on the position indicator.