What Is an Ethanol Dwell?

Ethanol is an alcohol that can be put into a central line to prevent infection. When the ethanol is left in the central line for a period of time, it is called an ethanol dwell.

Ethanol can help prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections. It is also used to treat infections that have not been cleared with antibiotics.

What Supplies Do You Need?

• Alcohol pads
• 10ml normal saline flushes
• Ethanol
• Empty Syringe

What Is Scrub the Hub and How Do You Do It?

Scrub the hub means to clean the cap on the end of the Central Venous Access Device (CVAD). This is also called a central line.

1. Hold the line. Do not let the cap or end of the line touch anything during this process.
2. Use an alcohol pad to clean the end first and then sides of the cap.
3. Scrub for 15 seconds. Use a twisting motion.
4. Wait 15 seconds for the cap to dry before attaching the medicine or syringe. Do not blow on it or wave it in the air. This increases the risk of infection.
5. Repeat the cleaning process with a new alcohol pad if the cap touches something.
6. Never reuse alcohol pads.

Steps To Give Ethanol:

1. Make sure the work area is clean. It is important to always clean your work area before you do any CVAD cares.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Scrub the hub of the central line.
4. Flush with 10mL of normal saline. Use the push-pause-push method and flush over 10 to 15 seconds. It is very important to do this before and after an ethanol dwell.
   • If the flush is not going in, do not force it. Stop.
   • Call your home care nurse or Central Access Team (CAT) at (414) 266-3883 before going to the next step.
5. Remove the normal saline syringe.
6. Scrub the hub of the central line again.
7. Give the ethanol. The provider will tell you how much to give and how long it should stay in the central line.
8. Put the “Ethanol Dwell” warning sticker on the line if available.

Steps To Remove the Ethanol After the Time Has Been Completed:

1. Make sure the work area is clean.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Scrub the hub of the central line.
4. Connect an empty syringe to the end of the hub. Remove the ethanol. Take out the same amount that was put in earlier.
   • If not able to remove it, do not force it. Stop.
   • Call your home care nurse or Central Access Team (CAT) before going to the next step.
5. Remove the syringe.
6. Scrub the hub of the central line again.
7. Flush with 10mL of normal saline. Use the push-pause-push method and flush over 10 to 15 seconds.
   • If the flush is not going in, do not force it. Stop.
   • Call your home care nurse or Central Access Team (CAT) before going to the next step.
8. Now the central line can be used.
9. Scrub the hub of the central line again.
10. Reconnect the fluid, medicine or Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).