Cnas and sheath caths

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2014

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This may depend on your facility policy. You need to look it up. However that is called a PICC line and everywhere I have worked the nurse is the one to discontinue these lines.

Only registered nurses have the qualifications to care for or remove a PICC line from a patient - See more at: PICC*Line Removal |*How to Remove a PICC Line | Clinical Nursing Skills

Hugurqh · Feb 1, 2014

Well this was smaller(shorter) than a pic line. I'm wondering would it fall back on me if I was unaware I wasn't suppose to do t, after being ordered by the nurse to do it

Kamilah Coney, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2014

As far as I know, discontinuation of IV's should not be delegated to Certified Nursing Assistants.

msjellybean · Feb 1, 2014

As far as I know, discontinuation of IV's should not be delegated to Certified Nursing Assistants.

This is facility specific. My hospital allows our techs do d/c PIVs, provided they show us the catheter before disposing of it. Since that rarely ever happens, most RNs d/c their own lines.

FineAgain · Feb 1, 2014

If this was a sheath cath, put in to administer TpA directly to the subclavian, only an RN or MD can pull those. Likewise PICC lines because of infection risk.

Biffbradford · Feb 1, 2014

I interviewed in a 600+ bed hospital unit where the CNAs were pulling femoral sheaths. Well, sure, pulling the sheath is a snap ... recognizing and managing the complications may not be. The RN was within ear shot in the hallway, but I didn't want any part of that scene.

RNGriffin · Feb 1, 2014

I wouldn't allow my techs to discontinue my Peripheral inserted IVs unless I have worked with this tech for years upon years upon years( you get the point). Anything above the AC, absolutely not! These lines require a much more thorough assessment once d/c'd and should have more detailed documentation for the risk of hemorrhage, infection, etc. Some techs have such an increased workload, I wouldn't delegate anything he/she does not have the authority to document.

I have seen techs managing IVs, starting IVs, drawing labs, managing femoral caths, etc. within my time....These aren't my patients, but I raise eyebrows for patient safety.

Kamilah Coney, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

This is facility specific. My hospital allows our techs do d/c PIVs, provided they show us the catheter before disposing of it. Since that rarely ever happens, most RNs d/c their own lines.

I would LOVE to work in that facility. Here I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with an intravenous certification and the RN's that I work along side with wouldn't let me flush an IV with saline, let alone D/C one.

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 3, 2014

I interviewed in a 600+ bed hospital unit where the CNAs were pulling femoral sheaths. Well, sure, pulling the sheath is a snap ... recognizing and managing the complications may not be. The RN was within ear shot in the hallway, but I didn't want any part of that scene.

I interned on a floor that would let specially trained cardiac techs pull sheaths, but only with an RN in the room for the first 10 minutes of holding pressure. Then the RN could leave and the tech would hold pressure for the remaining 20 minutes. These were fem art sheaths from cardiac caths. And obviously, these were very specially trained and yearly competencied techs.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

Could it have been a midline IV?? Either way, if I didn't know what it was, I would not have removed it as a CNA, LPN or RN without clarification.

Cal-Neva · Feb 4, 2014

That is tough to be put in that position, especially if unit politics are involved. When in doubt go with the gut. Where I have worked CNAs and Techs were no allowed to remove invasive devices, that was the RNs job, but it sounds like this isn't universal, so I would check with your manager or Educator.