Do you draw blood from a PICC line?

[xmaxiex]

OK ongoing discussion at my LTC . Do you draw blood from a PICC line? Here in LTC we are not allowed . One of the nurses did it and got in hot water . Is it a hospital only thing ? Or is it allowed at other facilities?

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

I've drawn from PICC lines many times but in an acute care hospital. I do know the size of the catheter is important however it sounds like a review of policy is needed at your facility. I know oncology MD's that would be mad if a nurse stuck his patients who had a functioning PICC in place. Also I know it may be important if an RN is available at a LTC to do the draw, everywhere I've worked it's been a practice restricted to RN's.

As far as catheter size, we do draws from neonatal PICCs that have french sizes

[Nurse Hatchett]

I'm an LPN in LTC and we are allowed to draw from a PICC line. Our outside lab does all other blood draws and nurses to lines. We also have to obtain a Dr. order to do this. Some of our docs will write specific orders and others will just use our policy and procedure. Hopes this helps. From reading the other posts, It looks like it just depends from facility to facility. Check your policy and procedure book. :)