LCLARN

Yes, this was only my 4th attempt. At our hospital we did not have anyone trained to insert PICC lines so several of us went through a class to be checked off by a physician who was also in the class. I did not attempt the brachial vein, I was attempting the Basilic, however this patient was elderly with poor veins. I saw the artery on the US and moved up and away from it prior to the stick, but her skin was so loose.....I don't know how it happened. Anyway, I attempted again today on the left side and was successful! Thanks for your help!

A mother brought in her 11 year old daughter with c/o "lump" and pain around her nipple.....duh? DX: Breast Buds!

I have just begun my journey as a PICC nurse, I have only attempted 4 with a 50% success rate. I am very frustrated and am starting to doubt my ability to do this. I am using the US for guidance. I have a few questions for some seasoned PICC nurses. 1. On my last attempt I hit the brachial artery. It was very apparent both on US and by blood return that I hit her artery. So I immediately pulled it out of the arm and held pressure. Was the correct? Or could I have just pulled out of the artery and try to hit the vein? I had only this arm to use because the patient had a PICC pulled out of the other arm just that morning. Which leads me to my next question.... 2. How soon can you re-access a vessel once a PICC was removed. It was removed because they thought the patient was going home on hospice, not because of infection. The MD is wanting me to attempt it again tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to do? Any help is greatly appreciated...I'm so happy to have come across this site. Thanks in advance.