Picc Line handling during patient cares.

[AussieKylie]

Hi, I was hoping someone can clarify with me the protocols of Picc Lines and IV therapy to keep vein open and what to do when assisting patients with going to the showers. Do we disconnect piccline from IV OR do we stop infusion, clamp line and thread IV Bag through clothing? Just need to get some clarification please.

Thankyou:chair:

[augigi, CNS]

This depends on a few things - what the infusion is, what the order for the infusion is, and what your local hospital policy is. I dont think anyone can give you a general answer which is correct for your hospital.

As a general rule (depending on hospital policy) - if it was hydration, like saline etc, I would disconnect for a shower. If there was a medication infusion (heparin, GTN etc) I would thread it through the clothes and not interrupt the infusion.

[emllpn2006]

Just a little tip that I found interesting. When a patient is showering and the IV line has been disconnected as long as the patient is not to large-you can cut out the fingers of a glove leaving the thumb intact and slide this over the IV site and it will work to keep the IV site dry.

[AussieKylie]

This depends on a few things - what the infusion is, what the order for the infusion is, and what your local hospital policy is. I dont think anyone can give you a general answer which is correct for your hospital.

As a general rule (depending on hospital policy) - if it was hydration, like saline etc, I would disconnect for a shower. If there was a medication infusion (heparin, GTN etc) I would thread it through the clothes and not interrupt the infusion.

Therefore, how do you not interrupt the infusion whilst its hooked up to IV Pump. Sorry I am just need clarification.

[jax]

Kylie, If I had an infusion via PICC I would clamp tubing, turn off machine, remove from machine, undress the pt, replace infusion in machine, turn on, go to shower, and then do it all again to get them dressed. If the PICC was just for AB's I'd be asking for a hep lock order as to avoid all this.

[AussieKylie]

thanks for the clarification jax, . feel relieved now that my questions are answered. i would hate to do the wrong thing and create detrimental effects to a patient. as i have heard stories about iv infusion not being clamped and patients health has decreased.

thank you heaps i appreciate it :) :paw:

[katie258]

Just a dumb question from a student but isn't this stuff in the hospital policy? We're told that every hospital has a policy and that we should check this if we are unsure of protocols. I found this to be true for the stuff they let us do on the floor but perhaps the RN stuff is not?