Long-term central venous catheters (CVCs) allow access to large blood vessels and are often used in chemotherapy where the drug can cause damage to the blood vessel if infused in smaller veins. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are typically inserted in the arm (basilic or cephalic vein) with the tip of catheter placed in the superior vena cava, the right atrium of the heart or the inferior vena cava, located using ultrasound. Centrally inserted central catheters (CICCs) are inserted in the chest.

Once in position, the catheter is secured at the entry site by specialised adhesive devices (such as StatLock), sutures, surgical tape or steri-strips, or by a subcutaneous securement device such as SecurAcath. The insertion site should be cleaned thoroughly on a weekly basis, during which dressings and any adhesive securement devices are removed and discarded. However, unless there is an indication of device malfunction or insertion-site infection, SecurAcath does not need to be removed at this stage.