LVN and PICC Lines

RN34TX · Apr 17, 2006

Can an LVN draw blood from a PICC Line and then flush with NS and Heprin? I have been asked ato do it for a pt. and I cant find anything on LVN scope to say yes or no. Please help!!!!!

You're not going to find anything that specific as TX currently has a title act and not a practice act for LVN's.

I believe (but am not sure) that this is currently in the process of changing.

Your facility should have a clear policy on what LVN's are allowed to do at your particular employement setting.

Ask your manager for a current copy of the policies relating to LVN's and all types of IV therapy including what drugs are allowed to be given by LVN's, push meds, responsibilites related to central line care and maintainence, drawing blood from CVC's and PICC's, etc.

Your facility absoulutely must have a policy in place and it must be available for you to read.

BTW, I was an LVN in TX for years and every job I had expected me to be able to manage and draw blood from all central lines including PICC's.

But that doesn't mean that your facility might not allow it.

And don't trust the RN's you work with, they may not even know the policy but just want you to do it to save them work.

Transplant-BSNTx · Apr 19, 2006

I agree with RN34TX, that you should check your institution's P&P manual. In the hospitals in my part of TX, LVNs are not allowed to draw blood from any IV line.