New Nurse PICC line question

[Josephkey14]

So, 5 weeks into nursing. I was asked to cap a picc line after TPN was completed. I removed the wrong line and the line fell on the floor. I figured I would just scrub it with alcohol pad for 15 seconds and reattach to the picc line. Now that I'm home and thinking about it all day. I feel like that was the worst thing I could have done. Should I just have scrapped the whole IV set up and gotten a new bag of fluids and new line? Is my patient indefinitely going to develop a CVC infection because of me? Or is scrubbing with alcohol correct and a viable option in this situation. Please, I'm learning and could use the criticism and education from some veterans out there. Hoping I'll keep my job after this =0...thanks

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Nope, you have to get a new line.

There is a learning curve in nursing. I'd ask your employer to give you an inservice on caring for PICC lines.

[VANurse2010]

What you did was pretty disgusting - don't EVER do something like that with a CVC especially. Yes you should have at least changed the tubing, and no it's not a definite that your patient will get an infection. They probably won't, but you just greatly increased the odds

[Boomer MS, RN]

What you did was pretty disgusting - don't EVER do something like that with a CVC especially. Yes you should have at least changed the tubing, and no it's not a definite that your patient will get an infection. They probably won't, but you just greatly increased the odds

This. And there is no two second, three second or five second rule in nursing. All lines are important, but central line infections can be disastrous. Forgive yourself and never do this again. We've all done some things we regret.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Threads have been merged and moved to the First Year After Nursing Licensure forum.