Measuring picc length

[UnbrokenRN09]

I'm a brand new picc nurse. I'm a perfectionist lol....and never want any of the picc exposed. Is it realistic to measure so accurately that this can be done on most patients? I know with some patient's anatomy you can't be spot on with the measurement. I've been measuring and adding 1-2 cm to make sure I don't end up short, but I'm always 2-3 cm long. I'm just afraid to be too short knowing I can always pull more back but can't put more in. Just wondering if this is just something that comes with time and experience once you're comfortable and consistent with your measurement method. My last one would've been perfect if I had just trimmed to my measurement instead of adding wiggle room.

I measure from my planned site that I mark with a sterile skin marker to the shoulder just above the axillary area to the right clavicular head and then to the third intercostal space. If I have to change sites I just add or subtract the distance between them rather than re-measure once they're draped and have the Sherlock on.

[Laurieebertberger]

Use the ultrasound with EKG guidance and get CAJ

Each time