PICC lines in the U.S.A. and the World

[AZMSNnurse]

Members--

Over the last nine months, I have been working on a capstone project regarding PICC lines.

I would appreciate hearing from members from various regions of the county (and please identify where your are from) i.e., north, east, south, west, and central, along with members from other countries. What I am looking for specifically is: Are you using PICC lines? Has your use increased in the last two years? Who is inserting your lines--IR, PICC team, etc.? Have there been any changes in re-insertions or infection rates? How soon after admission do patients receive a PICC line? Do you have any particular assessment tool in use for PICC line candidates?

Thank you all so much for your input.

AZMSNnurse:balloons:

[RNAnnjeh, MSN, CNS]

Hi,

I'm in Eastern Canada. Currently, there is a program in place aimed at improving patient safety called Safer Healthcare Now! One of the target areas is central venous access devices (including PICCs). Visit http://www.saferhealthcarenow.ca/ for information on the project and what is happening with central lines.

I can tell you that at my hospital, PICCs are placed by a MD----we have 1 pediatrician who does them at the bedside, 1 general surgeon who does them in the OR....not sure about the intensivists. The NNPs can do them in the neonatal population.

Hope this is helpful.

RNAnnjeh

[jodi_cmsrn]

I am from Pennsylvania

What I am looking for specifically is:

Are you using PICC lines? yes, we use them regularly

Has your use increased in the last two years? Definitely

Who is inserting your lines--IR, PICC team, etc.? We have a small group of nurses that are trained, and are actually having another class soon to train more, as many have left.

Have there been any changes in re-insertions or infection rates? Not sure.

How soon after admission do patients receive a PICC line? Depends on the patient, the doctor, reason for admit, etc.

Do you have any particular assessment tool in use for PICC line candidates? No, but would love to develop one.

Hope this helps.

[Sabby_NC]

Hi I work in Hospice and it is funny that you should ask about PICC lines as I was making the comment to our Patient Care Coordinator that the use of PICCS, CVC'S and Portacaths has gone through the roof of late.

Our infection rate is very low. For the most part our families are taught how to care for them and flush etc.

We send our patients to which ever local hospital for insertion of PICC's.

We use no assessment tool other than the usual protocols.. site of insertion etc Look for redness, drainage yadda yadda yadda...

I am also interested in the PICC's in the home.. Does your organization use sterile gloves or clean gloves for flushes and dressing changes?