I am a PICC nurse with 6 years of experience in placing PICC lines. I do not currently place a PICC line if a pacemaker; ie new wires, has just been placed. I was informed this several years ago by a cardiologist and it has just stuck. Recently a cardiologist wanted me to place a PICC line in a patient who just the day before had a pacemaker with new wires placed. She said that they would write a note in reference to this and to come and place the line. I consulted with IR where we currently send these patients too because they have the capability to visualize the catheter going through the vein and so can avoid dislodging these wires. They said if the PICC team has this policy then so should IR and that it would not be a problem to place the line blindly and to place the line at bedside. I basically refused to place this line stating it was unsafe to place blindly into the chest and the PICC could potentially malposition these wires and that a two week wait is required. I even offered a midline to the Dr and in two weeks we could exchange this line for a PICC for the rest of the ABT therapy if needed. Bottom line I held my ground and would not give into their demands. The Attending got very angry and decided to place the line himself, however he couldn't because the catheter would not thread. So any way the question is what is anyone elses policy on placing PICC lines with fresh pacemaker and fresh wires? I say fresh wires because if the wires are not changed and just the pacemaker itself is only changed I will place the PICC it is only with the new wires this rule applies. What are your thoughts?
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Hello,
I am a PICC nurse with 6 years of experience in placing PICC lines. I do not currently place a PICC line if a pacemaker; ie new wires, has just been placed. I was informed this several years ago by a cardiologist and it has just stuck. Recently a cardiologist wanted me to place a PICC line in a patient who just the day before had a pacemaker with new wires placed. She said that they would write a note in reference to this and to come and place the line. I consulted with IR where we currently send these patients too because they have the capability to visualize the catheter going through the vein and so can avoid dislodging these wires. They said if the PICC team has this policy then so should IR and that it would not be a problem to place the line blindly and to place the line at bedside. I basically refused to place this line stating it was unsafe to place blindly into the chest and the PICC could potentially malposition these wires and that a two week wait is required. I even offered a midline to the Dr and in two weeks we could exchange this line for a PICC for the rest of the ABT therapy if needed. Bottom line I held my ground and would not give into their demands. The Attending got very angry and decided to place the line himself, however he couldn't because the catheter would not thread. So any way the question is what is anyone elses policy on placing PICC lines with fresh pacemaker and fresh wires? I say fresh wires because if the wires are not changed and just the pacemaker itself is only changed I will place the PICC it is only with the new wires this rule applies. What are your thoughts?

