Arterial Cannula removal 

If the cannula is not functioning before removal as a senior nurse for help. If it is directed to remove the cannula the following process should be followed: 

Note: the below is for illustrative purposes only, this skill must be undertaken by a skilled and competent healthcare practitioner. 

Equipment: 

1. Personal protective equipment 
2. Sterile dressing pack 
3. Tape 
4. Extra gauze 
5. Chlorhexidine and Alcohol swab 
6. Dressing trolley 

Pre‐procedure 
1. Introduce yourself to the patient, explain and discuss the procedure, and gain consent. 
2. Check the patient’s platelet and coagulation screen. 
3. Prepare equipment 
4. Wash hands with soap and water, or an alcohol‐based handrub. 
 
Procedure 

1. Turn the three‐way tap diagonally closest to the patient. 
2. Close the roller clamp on the flush set. 
3. Deflate the pressure cuff. 
4. Clean hands with an alcohol‐based handrub and apply gloves. 
5. Loosen and remove dressing and any tape from the cannula site. Clean the cannula site area with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol swab. 
6. Place sterile gauze over the area and gently remove the cannula. 
7. Apply direct pressure for a minimum of 5 minutes. 
8. Apply a clean, sterile, gauze dressing. 
9. Secure with tape (avoid causing a tourniquet with too tight tape!) 

Post‐procedure 

1. Remove gloves and dispose of equipment appropriately. 
2. Document the date and time of removal in the patient’s notes. 
3. Avoid taking Blood Pressure on the limb for 12-24hrs post removal of the line. 
4. Check on the site dressing after a few minutes to ensure not bleeding through the dressing