sbivrn

sbivrn has 18 years experience.

Latest Activity

1. PICC programs

   sbivrn replied to PICC RN's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   CRNI stands for Certified Registered Nurse Infusion. To become a CRNI you must currently work in one of the nine core areas of infusion nursing, and pass the certification exam. Not all CRNI's place...

2. Head position in PICC placement

   sbivrn replied to blsmom's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   Interesting. I place the patient completely supine, except in cases where the patient cannot tolerate it. When making the turn at the shoulder I have the patient turn their head toward me and angle...

3. opening clogged PICC, with a wire????

   sbivrn replied to SWAT_RN's topic in Radiology

   Sure, but it's taken us to some neat places

4. opening clogged PICC, with a wire????

   sbivrn replied to SWAT_RN's topic in Radiology

   Perhaps I have been unclear. I do not do over the wire exchange for clotted PICCs. The result would be no different than that to which I am objecting. Our two options are to use Activase to declot the...

5. opening clogged PICC, with a wire????

   sbivrn replied to SWAT_RN's topic in Radiology

   Over the wire exchange of a PICC line is a totally different issue. The validity and safety of the procedure is well documented. We accomplish this quite safely at the bedside. This is also done in...

6. Student asking: "What's your background and why IV nursing?"

   sbivrn replied to Chaetognath's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   The first couple of years post nursing school can be overwhelming. They just cannot teach you everything you need to know. so you will get quite a lot of on the job training. As bad as it seems on new...

7. Student asking: "What's your background and why IV nursing?"

   sbivrn replied to Chaetognath's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   Just saw your question. You can certainly make a career out of vascular access nursing. It is much more than running here and there starting IVs. I am not aware of any specialty IV teams that will...

8. Midline venous catheters

   sbivrn replied to cannulation's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   Lots of luck to you. Love to hear about anyone making new strides in vascualr access for their institutions. You're doing a good

9. Midline venous catheters

   sbivrn replied to cannulation's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   I don't believe you'll find any articles on blood draws from midlines. I am not aware of any. We do not do blood draws. Maybe I was unclear. We check for a blood return upon insertion. Then flush...

10. Midline venous catheters

    sbivrn replied to cannulation's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    Yes we do use blood return as an indicator of satisfactory placement. We do not xray midlines. We typically use (on the adult patient) 4 french single lumen catheters for midlines, cut to have the tip...

11. opening clogged PICC, with a wire????

    sbivrn replied to SWAT_RN's topic in Radiology

    I agree with Diana. Where did the clot go if not into the patient's vascular system? This is not an INS standard of practice. This should not be let go. Many people cover a lack of knowledge with...

12. PICC programs

    sbivrn replied to PICC RN's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    I am very proud of the IV team of which I am a part. We are a part of Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia, NC. There are 9 of us and 7 of us are CRNI's. We cover the hospital 24/7. We place 150-180...

13. Midline venous catheters

    sbivrn replied to cannulation's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    That's interesting. Do you place midlines in the same manner as PICC lines? We use the modified seldinger technique for both and don't have anymore problems with bleeding from one to the other. It...

14. Starting IVs on old sick people

    sbivrn replied to zacarias's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    Those are hard ones, no doubt. You are dealing with poor skin tugor, probable dehydration, and poor venous status. Just make sure you are not using a catheter that is too big. A 22 gauge catheter is...

15. Picc Question...technique

    sbivrn replied to blsmom's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    Wow- I've never heard of trying that. Do you mind telling which brand of picc needle is giving you the trouble threading the