triple lumen PICC lines

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

I dont place PICC's myself, but in my facility the nurses that do really dont like the double or triple lumens. They feel they occlude more quickly and realistically they probly do since someone needing a triple probly are getting both long term antibiotics and some type of TPN. They usually opt to have the doc put in a central line if they need more than one lumen.

Gail-Anne · Jan 17, 2005

has any out there in the PICC world placed any 3L PICC's?
I am hoping to trial some in the next couple of weeks. I am very excited, there are many patients that I PICC that could definately use a triple lumen. Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on them.

We only use single and doubles, even with doubles smaller veins are at increased risk or thrombous. I find pt needing triple lines are short-term so a subclavian or jugular is better initially.

Please post again after you've used some as I'm interested in how it goes.

HoosierDeb · May 25, 2005

We use double lumen PICCs almost exclusively and have just started using the Bard triple lumen piccs.. We have very little problem with occluded lines with the doubles and so far haven't had any with the triples. We like to put the triples in patients in the SCU/CCU areas as they almost always need multiple lines. So far the only complaint that I have is that with the Bard, it doesn't come with a complete kit yet, only the catheter so we have to be sure and gather all the other stuff needed for the insertion. When we have a patient that we know is going home on meds we will use a single lumen but for the most part, all of our inpatients have double lumens.

bobnurse · Jun 1, 2005

We use double lumen PICCs almost exclusively and have just started using the Bard triple lumen piccs.. We have very little problem with occluded lines with the doubles and so far haven't had any with the triples. We like to put the triples in patients in the SCU/CCU areas as they almost always need multiple lines. So far the only complaint that I have is that with the Bard, it doesn't come with a complete kit yet, only the catheter so we have to be sure and gather all the other stuff needed for the insertion. When we have a patient that we know is going home on meds we will use a single lumen but for the most part, all of our inpatients have double lumens.

I didnt know bard had a 3 lumen picc...ive seen the cook one. Is it a 6 or 7 french? I will be looking into it. I put in bard PICC's exclusively. Many times our patients could benefit from a 3rd lumen, we've been holding off because we dont want 2 brands of PICC's in our facility.....most importantly the confusion of heparinizing one and not the other.

Shelb620 · Sep 9, 2005

Has anyone used a double lumen PICC to administer TPN and blood?

bobnurse · Sep 9, 2005

We use PICC's for TPN on a routine basis. We do extensive wound care and place PICCS's for nutritional support. We use PICC's over subclavians due to the lower infection risk. We give quite a bit of blood and blood products via PICC's (5fr). We use Bard Groshongs.

coronapeng · Sep 9, 2005

We have been routinely using the Bard 6 Fr Dual Lumen Power PICC with very few complications. It has 2 18g lumens. We use ultrasound and MST for all placements. We are just about to start placing the 6 Fr triple lumens (1 lumen is 17g, the other 2 are 20g). Occasionally we place a single lumen for patients going home. PICC placements were started at my facility for TPN many years ago. We are now doing close to 1500 / year.

vaspro1 · Sep 27, 2005

has any out there in the PICC world placed any 3L PICC's?
I am hoping to trial some in the next couple of weeks. I am very excited, there are many patients that I PICC that could definately use a triple lumen. Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on them.

I have placed quite a few. They are great in the ICU setting. They are 6FR so they have an increased incidence of thrombosis of all types over 5FR duals. We have had to restrict them to patients who need hemodynamic monitoring and multiple incompatible drugs for that reason. We usually change them out for a more appropriate one when the patient moves to a lower level of care and still needs long term therapy

PICC ACE · Nov 23, 2005

We have started stocking Bard's 6Fr Triple Lumen Per-Q's and have put in 6 in the last 3 months. They are nice for a really sick patient that needs 3 separate lines. 6Fr is pretty big,though,so they really need to go in a big vein above the antecubital fossa. That being said,some of our really,REALLY sick patients need more than three dedicated lines. They get 2 5Fr dual lumens.

ghostcat · Nov 23, 2005

has any out there in the PICC world placed any 3L PICC's?
I am hoping to trial some in the next couple of weeks. I am very excited, there are many patients that I PICC that could definately use a triple lumen. Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on them.

We have used some triple lumens - one word of caution though, they are open ended catheters. The ports come with clamps and they must be clamped when not in use to avoid occlusion. They should also not be sent home with a patient because they are at too great a risk if they break or the cap comes off.

We use them in patients with lots of stuff going on, but we always remove or exchange before transferring out of the hospital.

Gail-Anne · Nov 23, 2005

PICC ACE, where are you placing 2 5fr PICCs? And I mean where in the arm....not where in the world!!! Are you tying up both arms with PICCs or using basilic and cephalic on the same arm? I'm thinking that's a lot of PICC running thru the same subclavian vein. What is the rate of thrombous and fibrin sheaths doing this?