RNPAULIE

the hospital i work in has an IV team of 6 rn's who cover first and most of second shift. They are consulted for PICC placement and if unable to establish access then interventional radiology steps in. They manage the care of the central line dressing changes and PICC changes, the nurses on the floors are encouraged to do 72 hour restarts although most will wait for the IV nurse. The nurses on the units are responsible for the dressing changes on the TLC's but not restarts. I am a new RN and try to improve my skills by doing my own starts but I work on a Renal floor where some of the patients have very limited access and we can only utilize one arm so the IV team prefers we leave those for them. Our infection and phlebitis rate is minimal because these people are experts in what they do and especially on my floor we are thankful to have them.