JCKent

One thing you can offer these hospitals is that you can provide skilled nursing care to these lines after insertions. I'm sure your IR guys stick, picc, and run. I can only imagine the infection and complication rates these hospitals are dealing with. Having a dedicated PICC nurse who works with all these lines and knows them inside an out in an invaluable resource. There is a great deal of documentation and research on IV Team development and successes. I can not express enough how much education you need as well as continuing education on top of plenty of hands on experience to be proficient, competent, and safe. You also may want to look into earning your certification in infusion nursing from the INS. This will expand your education as well as give you more credibility. Good luck. I am sure you can provide these hospitals with a superior service over their current situation.

Typically when you meaure a PICC that has been removed you measure from the hub, where the catheter connects to the "wings" There should be a "0" or a dot at the begining of the catheter. Your measurement should start here and end at the tip of your catheter.