Can RNs pull Picc Lines

[Chan285]

Can RNs pull Picc lines or is there a specific training outside of Nursing school that requires this

[Chan285]

Thanks to everyone who responded to me, I really appreciate it!!:)

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

I'd say it's facility specific. At my facility the NPs pull them for us, RNs aren't allowed to per policy.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

It depends on the facility, so be sure to check the policy and procedure. Where I work, we are not allowed to pull any central access line. Our NP's and docs do it.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

It depends on the facility, so be sure to check the policy and procedure. Where I work, we are not allowed to pull any central access line. Our NP's and docs do it.

*** This is interesting. I am a PICC nurse and judging from the number of med students and residents who ask to observe a PICC insertion I was under the impression the physicians received no training in PICC lines. If yours do it must be something they are taught in your facility. There isn't any reason to have an NP or physician pull the line. They wouldn't know any more about it than a regular RN and less than a PICC nurse.

[Erclifton85]

I pull them and work home health.

[MissBrahmsRN]

i pulled PICCs when i was in nursing school. also pulled a couple of central lines, and some IJs. at our facilities we have "PICC nurses" who are RNs with special training to insert PICC lines. once the PICC is in, RNs change the caps, change the dressing, give meds thru it, draw labs, etc and then if it needs to be pulled before discharge then pull it. we pull sheaths, swans, art lines, all of that stuff on my unit.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

I work for a large teaching facility and it is our hospitals policy that only fellows and NP's are to pull any central lines, including PICCs. All of our fellows are trained to insert PICC's and if they can't get one, then the kids go to IR for femoral placement.

Like I said, each faciltity is different and have different P/Ps regarding this. Best to always check than rely on an internet board to determine if it is ok to pull it on your own.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

First what does your Board of Nursing say, then what is your facility policy, third have you been checked off on doing any procedures? Just because some RNs can in some states and in some facilities does not automatically mean all RNs can.

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm an LPN and I can pull PICC lines. In my state an LPN can as long as they have their certification for IVT and their policy allows it.

[athflying]

*** Who is on this special PICC team if not nurses?

I should of been more specific, floor nurses are not allowed to do those things. The PICC team are specially trained nurses who manage all things PICC.

[Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP]

Mine allows us to place/pull them. However, we have to have a short training/observation for the pulling, and a more extensive training for actually placing them. I believe it's something like 1-2 days of class with a certain number of actual PICC placements while under supervision.