There was quite a heated discussion at work and was wondering what you guys have seen in your experience. Can you transfuse PRBC thru a double lumen PICC through one port and meds thru the other simultaneously?
One argument is that since a PICC is a central line-it can be treated as such. And as you could do this thru the distal port of a triple lumen central line same should be true of the PICC.
The other side argued that although a PICC is a central line, it is unkown which is the distal port and blood transfusion may mix w/med.
I realize you cannot administer anything thru the SAME port. Per the educator, you find another access. It just doesnt make any sense to me either since our hospital ONLY places double lumen PICC's, it seems like such a waste and need for education. I'm still looking for data to present to them ( although at my hospital I doubt that will make any difference) I figure I should try for the patients' sake. Thanks for all your help!
IngyRN
105 Posts
I realize you cannot administer anything thru the SAME port. Per the educator, you find another access. It just doesnt make any sense to me either since our hospital ONLY places double lumen PICC's, it seems like such a waste and need for education. I'm still looking for data to present to them ( although at my hospital I doubt that will make any difference) I figure I should try for the patients' sake. Thanks for all your help!