What type/ brand of PICC do you use?

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

When I get home I will answer all your questions ko

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2011

We are starting a picc program at out hospital and trying to decide what type/brand of picc to use. They will be used on inpatients and outpatients. I am looking at the Bard power picc and the Bard solo. The hospital I recieved training from uses the Bard power picc exclusively, but I don't like the idea of having to flush q12 hours. I am leaning toward the solo just because the required frequency of flush is one week and this would be much more convenient for our outpatients. I would appreciate any feedback on the brand/ type of picc you use and any pros or cons you have seen. Thanks!

I can tell you from my experience, that the Power SOLO PICC should be flushed MORE frequently, and we actually heparinize them with 10unit per ml heparin flush q 12 hours secondary to their propensity for occlusions. Yes, I realize that they are valved, but why not go with the Bard Groshong PICC's? They are only flushed weekly with NSS ( avoiding HIT) and another really nice feature is that they are repairable!!!

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2011

What you choose also depends upon the type of patient and in what units you will be placing the PICCs and for what purpose. I personally like BARD and Arrow PICCs and the PASV is also very good. Here on some considerations:

1. If you will be placing PICCs in the ICU population you will need and open ended non-valved catheter such as the DL or TL power Power PICC. On the TL you will have the middle lumen as the power injectable capable lumen and in the DL both are. More importantly. all of the lumens in both the DL and TL can be used for CVP monitoring. There is a clamp on the tails in both tthe DL and TL and if you use a positive displacement LAD on these you will need to do some staff instruction on how to flush as in to flush disconnect then clamp.

2. We like the SOLO in our oncology population..our pts going home with PICCs..that way if they need a CT scan they can use the PICC. It also is valved and when locked can be flushed weekly. If used for CVP monitoring the results can be dampened and therefore in my opinion fairly useless.

# We also use a DL Groshong . We like these for outpatients as well and they are very useful in the frail elderly

We have access to them all of these..we place about 200 PICCs per month. You really do need a selection especially in regards to the # of lumens you select. You do not want to place more than you need or suspect that you may need b/c the more lumens the greater risk of infection,not to mention increased maintenance and cost. For example,if you have a pt going home on IV Rochepin q day all they need is a SL PICC

4. You will need a SL option

sorlando · Feb 28, 2011

I work at a small hospital and we will be doing piccs for everybody ( ICU, other inpatient, outpatient and oncology). I wanted to pick something that would work universally for all our patients but after reading your comments I guess that is not realistic.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2011

It sounds like you will need to have a few options if you will be placing them in all areas,including your outpatients. I would start with the TL and dL power PICC then select a valved option for your pts going home with a PICC. They are all about in the same cost range with additional fees added if you have a sherlock stylet preloaded in it and if you purchase the max barrier drape kit. We purchase our drape separately b/c it was cheaper that way