Thrown in a line
Formal Definition
A colloquial clinical phrase referring to the rapid, often emergent placement of an intravenous line (peripheral IV, central venous catheter, or arterial line) in a deteriorating or unstable patient where vascular access was previously absent or inadequate; implies urgency and pragmatism rather than careful, sterile, optimized line placement; can also refer to obtaining urgent IV access during a code or rapid response.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Throw a line in" or "throw one in" — when the patient needs IV access quickly because they're crashing, going to CT with contrast, requiring urgent medications, or otherwise need immediate vascular access the team didn't plan for; sometimes the nurse gets the IV, sometimes the resident or fellow places a central line at the bedside.
Example
""Rapid response called for hypotension in a patient without IV access. Charge nurse tries twice unsuccessfully for peripheral IV. Resident at bedside: 'Patient's pressure is dropping. Throw a line in — get me a central line kit and a cordis introducer, we'll do a femoral line now so we can give fluids and pressors.' Line placed in 8 minutes; norepinephrine started within 15 minutes.""
Clinical Context
Clinical context: rapid response / code situations where vascular access cannot be delayed. Lines that get "thrown in" are typically femoral (for central access in code), large-bore peripheral in the antecubital fossa, or intraosseous (IO) if both IV and central attempts fail. IO access (drill into proximal tibia or humerus) is increasingly first-line in pediatric codes and useful in adult codes when IV/Central cannot be obtained within minutes. Documentation: should still include a procedural note — indication (urgent IV access required), site, technique, ultrasound guidance if used, any complications, sterile technique attempted. "Thrown in" should not be an excuse for sloppy sterile technique: full barrier precautions for central lines even in code situations — post-CVC bacteremia risk is real. Alternative phrase: "slap a line in" — same meaning, slightly more informal. Patient communication: explain briefly what's happening even in the chaos ("we're putting a line in your groin so we can give you blood pressure medications faster").