Ultrasound Tech's assisting w/ PICC's insertions using their maching?

[CarolMarie]

Greetings,

I'm so eager to ask but I'm pretty sure I know the answer. Does anyone inserting PICC's use their ultrasound department? We currently are using our ultrasound person and their machine. The U.S. tech gowns and places the probe on the arm and tells us where to insert the needle. I think it's crazy, but I just want to make sure this isn't a common practice before I go to my CEO and request the Site-Rite ultrasound. Thanks!

[Asystole RN]

Utilizing the US department sounds expensive for the hospital, unless the US department is really slow and there are very few PICC insertions.

Bard provided us with the Site Rite 6, Sherlock, and Sapiens with the condition that we purchase a certain volume of Sapiens compatible Power PICCs. On average we place around 5 PICCs a day. The ECG tip location system had allowed us to save on both hard and soft operations costs.

First I would contact Bard and Teleflex and see if they are willing to make a deal. Then I would calculate the costs associated with xrays compared to purchasing an ECG tip verification system.

If none if that works I would suggest looking into the many less expensive US systems out there. You don't NEED a Site Rite 6, Vision, or VasoNova. I've placed many PICCs just using an old Piccolo US.

[CarolMarie]

Thanks for your input. I'm kinda thinking your right about gathering data. I haven't heard of other ultrasounds besides the site rite so I will look into the other brands you mentioned. We place very few PICC's, but we see a great opportunity to increase our outpatient. I'm really excited to do this.