Tamper Resistant Cover for PICC's

[gregc]

Does anyone know of a device to keep patients from self administering I.V meds though their PICC lines? I found information on a catheter port lock device but it is only the US patent for the device. My hospital is wanting something due to the increase in I.V drug use and outpatient therapy.

Thank you,

Greg

[macawake, MSN]

Does anyone know of a device to keep patients from self administering I.V meds though their PICC lines? I found information on a catheter port lock device but it is only the US patent for the device. My hospital is wanting something due to the increase in I.V drug use and outpatient therapy.

Thank you,

Greg

No I'm sorry, I can't really help you with that. I don't know of such a device. Even if one does exist, in my experience a person struggling with drug addiction would either figure out a way to bypass such a lock or simply choose a different site to inject their drug of choice. I don't think a lock would be very effective.

Besides, personally I think that policing patients when they are away from the clinic/hosptital where they receive treatment is outside a nurse's/hospital's purview. Why does your hospital wish to implement the use of these locks? Is it for legal/safety reasons or moral/ethical? I'm curious, has your facility experienced an increase in catheter-related infections or other complications?

[gregc]

I believe a little of both. We had a patient overdose as an inpatient. They had "friends" bring in drugs and they injecting them through their PICC line. The patient was only here to receive antibiotics once a day but because they were I.V drug users the doctor kept them in the hospital for six weeks, hoping to deter this from happening and possibly help the patient with their addiction.

Thank you for your response.

[Wuzzie]

We don't put PICC lines in our actively using patients for the most part. They get mid-lines inserted for every admission that are d/c'd at discharge. It's not the greatest plan but it does cut down on the line infections.

[gregc]

We do the same if the midline is appropriate for use but there is still the issue of the pt self administering though it whether in or out of the facility.

Thank you.